Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (VP)
Mangaluru, Feb 5: "After becoming energy minister, I have seen that the rainfall had remained scanty due to which projects such as generation of hydroelectric power had stopped. Even as there was no rainfall solar energy and wind energy were also completely ineffective. Hence, we had to procure energy from different states using the barter system. Thermal plants are serviced during the monsoon but due to lack of rainfall it was difficult to get quality coal in mining areas. During the first harvest, chief minister had said additional five hours of electricity will be given for irrigating areas for which power will be procured from Himachal Pradesh and thereby ensure that power supply remains uninterrupted for industries," said K J George, energy minister at a press meet held here on Monday, February 5 at Mescom Bhavan, Mangaluru.
He further said that, "Although we have sufficient energy today, in the coming days because of summer, exams and second crop season, we will have to import high quality coal, and we do not procure coal which has high content of ash. Some coal plants are getting old and hence coal blending and coal washing techniques are being planned to raise the capacity of energy generation.
George said, "The problem started after Covid-19. We did not increase the production and so in the coming days we saw a huge rise in demand. We have also followed the instructions given by the central government regarding coal blending and pump storage, which will help in using more energy. I have seen that with pump storage we don't need much water and only 0.3% of water is sufficient as water gets recycled and reused because of which, additional 1500 megawatts will be added. The central government project, Tehri Dam, is also helping us in achieving this target. Companies such as Jindal and others have the goal of making cheap green energy. Green hydrogen is really helpful and when I got introduced to this I was shocked. We have all the resources in Karnataka to store energy."
He emphasized that "Green hydrogen is a new technique, and we have plans to integrate it in the long term. Over 6,00,000 families are availing themselves of the Gruha Laxmi scheme in Dakshina Kannada district."
On this occasion, the minister answered queries pertaining to the electrification of Shirtadi, Kotekar and Nelyadi areas besides hiring of linesman for Mescom. "The officials have said that the work will be completed within 3 months and we will be monitoring its progress. Regarding the appointment of linesman we have requirements for 6000 workers. We will give top priority to locals in appointments for which proper skill training will be provided to them," George said.
When the media asked questions regarding green hydrogen, energy problems in summer and information regarding the Sharavati and Varahi river projects, the minister said "Green hydrogen is a new technique which is quite popular in European countries. All the European countries have taken to green hydrogen. It is easily transportable by ship using pump storage. Green hydrogen can be used domestically and for exporting it to other countries. Even Gujarat and Rajasthan are using it. We had several meetings regarding this, and we will be piloting this project at Bengaluru through which we expect to generate 300 kilowatts."
During summers, the minister said "For the last 4–5 years, we never had this much energy demand and no action was taken. However, due to scanty rainfall, 14000 megawatts of power is needed which will be borrowed from UP and Punjab states through a barter system. We are importing quality coal and blending 20% to raise production. The Bengaluru gas station which was idle will be opened in a few months which will produce 380 megawatts of power. The Varahi river project is estimated to produce 1500 megawatts and we will need cheap power for which we can use solar and other sustainable sources of energy."
He said "the Sharavati and Varahi river projects will both take at least 2–3 years, and it will take some time for completion. And the Sharavati project is estimated to produce an extra 2000 megawatts."
On this occasion, Mulian Muhilian, district commissioner, Mangaluru City, Dr. Anand K, CEO, zilla panchayat, Padmavati, MD, KPTCL, Pankaj Kumar, MD, MESCOM; Ivan D'Souza, former MLCs along with MLAs Pankaj Kumar, Manjunath Bhandari, B M Farukh, Vedvyas Kamath, Ashok Kumar Rai and former MLAs, J R Lobo and Pankaj Kumar were present.