State to Buy Chattisgarh Power at Rs 4.60 Per Unit During Summer

From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore

Bangalore, Nov 30: As the summer season is around and the demand for electricity increases, the state is making all out efforts for ensuring enhanced power supply including buying high cost energy from power surplus states.

According to Karnataka’s power minister Shobha Karandlaje, who reviewed the power situation ahead of the onset of the summer season, the state government has decided to buy power from power-surplus Chattisgarh to tackle the increasing demand and shortages on account of inadequate supply position.

An agreement would be signed with the Chattisgarh government shortly for buying power at a rate of Rs 4.60 per unit during summer months, she said.

She said Energy Department officials would soon hold negotiations with officials of Chattisgarh and finalise the deal for commencement of power purchase.

The Department would also hold talks with private power generating companies to buy electricity during the summer.

The demand for power, which is around 100 million units now, would reach 150 million units in March, April and June months, the minister said.

Karandlaje said the government would prepare a detailed action plan to mitigate the power crisis in the State.

Power generation from hydel sources would be increased from the present 15 million units to 40 million units during the summer, she said.

Though second units of Bellary Thermal Power Station and Udupi thermal power station of installed generating capacity of 600 mw each have been formally approved, the Environment Ministry of the Centre was yet to issue no objection certificates to units.

The minister promised to visit Delhi on December 10 to discuss the power project related issues with Union Environment Ministry.