From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 27: Karnataka is blazing a new trail in power generation by increasing output to 19,500 MW from 14,000 MW, a 39% jump, according to latest figures logged on March 2017. 

To celebrate the achievement, the Energy Ministry of Government of Karnataka has announced ‘Power Awards 2017’ to honour the toil of all those who played a part in this record-breaking achievement.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Ananth Kumar, Union Minister, Parliamentary Affairs Chemicals and Fertilizers, D.V Sadananda Gowda, Minister, Statistics & programme Implementation and Raj Kumar Singh, Minister of State (I/C), Power, New and renewable Energy will be participating in the event at Bengaluru Palace Grounds on Saturday.

According to Karnataka Power Corporation, the record-breaking 39% increase in power generation in just under four years is the result of schemes and projects designed to overcome Karnataka’s chronic power woes.

“Power Awards 2017 will celebrate the achievements of all the people – from consumers who inspire, contractors who implement, employees who are actively involved and organisations who played a creative role,” said D.K. Shivakumar, Minister of Energy.

With the Solar Park in Pavagada, the world’s largest Solar Park spread over 13,000 acres of land with 2000 MW capacity generation, coming on stream, the state is set to add more green power to the total electricity matrix.

“Real innovation is powered by ideas at scale. Over the past few years, we’ve gotten used to the idea that ambitious young innovators from Karnataka can create exciting new companies in their garage. But there was a time when shortage of electricity was holding our best minds back,” said Shivakumar.

He said four years ago, ``we looked at the power problem from a different angle to come up with solutions that work in the real world. Experts were roped in to introduce new schemes while simultaneously tweaking the on-going projects. You can see the results now.’’

The path-breaking 39% jump in power generation is the result of a host of steps undertaken by the Energy department. In just under four years, 124 new power sub stations were established, 284 Sub Power Stations were upgraded and 3,400 circuit km transmission lines were added.

In KPTCL and ESCOMS, online recruitments were carried out, ensuring complete transparency. As a result, out of 33,000 vacant posts, 21,516 posts were filled up by hiring engineers, finance staff, linemen etc.

The Ganga Kalyana scheme is another initiative designed to serve the needs of schedule castes, schedule tribes, OBCs and minorities. Starting 2013, electricity connection were also provided to 72,500 farmers to operate their irrigational pump sets.

Through the Bhagya Jyothi/Kutira Jyoti scheme, 27 lakh beneficiaries (farmers’ IP sets) were provided 40 units of free electricity. 

The State Government also released a subsidy of Rs 8841 crore for the time period, 2017-18. Answering the electricity demand of farmers, 3, 97,000 IP sets were regularised. 

To resolve issues faced by consumers faster, consumer advisory committees were setup in 167 assembly constituencies. A total of 6,249 nominated members were appointed to these committees, which meets the 3rd Saturday of every month to resolve consumer issues.

A 24/7 Toll Free Helpline, ‘1912’, was also set up to register consumer complaints, along with utilising other mediums like SMS, email, Whatsapp and Twitter to respond to complaints faster.

“By innovative use of emerging technologies and energy sources like Solar and Wind energy etc, the dependency on traditional power generation resources like hydro/oil and gas has come down. And this is one big achievement for the State,” explained Shivakumar.

“Karnataka currently has 2.11 crore consumers, including domestic and industrial. Although, there is an increasing need for power in agriculture, industry and business, the State Government is ready to address all their needs. Innovative and efficient measures we have implemented will power generations to come,” the Energy minister added.