Electricity consumption surged 43%, with October marking the pinnacle at 15,978 MW — an impressive 45% more than in the previous fiscal year.
Published Nov 08, 2023 | 11:00 AM ⚊ Updated Nov 08, 2023 | 11:00 AM
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announces seven hours of electricity power supply to sugarcane and paddy growers. (supplied)
The heavy politicking in poll-bound Telangana around Karnataka — with the Congress projecting a “Karnataka model” and the BRS ridiculing it — seems to have had an impact on the Siddaramaiah government’s approach to the power crisis in the state.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on Tuesday, 7 November, the supply of seven hours of power every day to farmers — mainly sugarcane and paddy growers — in the state.
This came even as the state grapples with a formidable surge in electricity demand, and the power crisis in Karnataka has become a talking point in neighbouring Telangana.
The government also said it had taken steps to address the challenges to the soaring power demand, particularly in the crucial agricultural sector.
A recent review meeting chaired by the chief minister highlighted a substantial 43 percent rise in electricity consumption, underscoring the need for proactive measures.
This, even as upset Karnataka farmers made their voices heard in the border areas of Telangana, staging protests against the Congress government in their state that echoed their frustration with unmet promises — notably the commitment to provide seven hours of uninterrupted power supply.
These protests not only amplified the grievances of the farming community but also presented a formidable political challenge for the Congress, adding a layer of complexity in the run-up to the 30 November Telangana Assembly elections.
It is widely believed that the Congress won the Karnataka Assembly elections in May on the strength of the five guarantees it gave people.
That prompted the party to make a template out of the winning strategy, and Telangana happened to be the first place where it would be tested. The Congress has already given six poll guarantees in the state and is projected a “Karnataka model of development”.
The BRS, on the other hand, has turned the projection against Congress to ridicule the party’s government in Karnataka, especially over the electricity crisis in the state.
“Deputy CM of Karnataka DK Shivakumar comes to Telangana and says Congress will give five hours electricity. This in a state where we are already giving 24 hours power supply. This is the absurd politics Congress is doing,” KT Rama Rao, working president of BRS, told South First in an interview.
In a pivotal review meeting chaired by Siddaramaiah at his official residence on Monday, Karnataka’s Energy Ministry delved into the state’s power consumption dynamics during the 2023 fiscal year.
ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ @siddaramaiah ಅವರ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ನಡೆದ ಇಂಧನ ಇಲಾಖೆ ಪರಿಶೀಲನಾ ಸಭೆಯ ಮುಖ್ಯಾಂಶಗಳು:
2022ನೇ ಇಸವಿಗೆ ಹೋಲಿಸಿದರೆ 2023 ರಲ್ಲಿ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಬೇಡಿಕೆ ಸರಾಸರಿ ಶೇ. 43 ರಷ್ಟು ಹೆಚ್ಚಿದೆ. ಅಕ್ಟೋಬರ್ ತಿಂಗಳಲ್ಲಿ 15,978 ಮೆಗಾವ್ಯಾಟ್ ಬೇಡಿಕೆ ದಾಖಲಾಗಿದೆ. ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಬಳಕೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕಳೆದ ವರ್ಷಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಶೇ. 45 ರಷ್ಟು… pic.twitter.com/JiGYNERHR6
— CM of Karnataka (@CMofKarnataka) November 6, 2023
A notable surge of 43 percent in electricity consumption had been observed, with October marking the pinnacle at 15,978 MW — an impressive 45 percent increase compared to the previous fiscal year, claimed the Department of Energy.
The surge was particularly pronounced in the agriculture sector, where demand rose a remarkable 119 percent compared to last year’s 55 percent. The uptick was primarily attributed to the heightened use of irrigation pump sets by farmers.
The annual power demand surge in other sectors also went from nine percent to 14 percent, highlighted the Department of Energy.
This spike, influenced by factors such as a deficient monsoon, increased agricultural demands, and the post-Covid-19 economic recovery, prompted strategic interventions by the government.
“The Raichur and Ballari thermal power plants have augmented production, complemented by power purchases from Punjab and Uttar Pradesh under the Energy Swapping policy,” emphasised the Department of Energy.
To address the escalating demand, Section 11 of the Electricity Act 2003 has been invoked for open-access generators, while chief engineer-level officers have been deployed to ensure vigilant monitoring of power supply across the state.
Measures implemented also include a commitment to providing seven hours of uninterrupted electricity to farmers engaged in sugarcane and paddy cultivation, requiring 600 MW per hour and 14 million units per day.
Meanwhile, plans were said to be underway to harness solar power for irrigation pump sets through the solarisation of EIP feeders, with the tender process currently in progress.
This is expected to facilitate the provision of power to agrarians during daylight hours by next year.
The meeting was attended by key figures such as Energy Minister KJ George, Chief Minister’s Political Secretary Nazeer Ahamed, and Chief Secretary Vandita Sharma.
Meanwhile, the Telangana border areas have become a stage for vociferous protests by Karnataka farmers, in what they see as a potent expression of their disillusionment with the Siddaramaiah-led Congress government over the implementation of five poll guarantees.
The agitating farmers are specifically targeting the government’s failure to honour its commitment to provide seven hours of power, which has triggered waves of discontent.
The agitation extended beyond Karnataka’s borders when batches of farmers went to Telangana’s border villages and amplified their grievances, challenging the credibility of the Congress’ guarantees.
Telangana’s Kodangal, from where TPCC chief Revanth Reddy is contesting in the 30 November Assembly polls, witnessed a notable demonstration recently. Around 50 farmers from Karnataka took to the streets, marching from Kodangal’s Chowrastha to the Gandhi statue in Parigi town.
The scenes unfolded with the farmers brandishing placards, underscoring their dissatisfaction with the Congress government. However, they were reportedly confronted by local Congress workers.
These developments in Telangana’s border areas have turned out to be a big headache for the Congress, especially because the party has already implemented Gruha Jyothi — a scheme that provides up to 200 units of free power to all households — in Karnataka.
While Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister Shivakumar, during his recent visit to Telangana, admitted to a power crisis in Karnataka, Energy Minister KJ George reiterated that the state government was initiating corrective measures to ensure sufficient power supply to the farmers.
Meanwhile, announcing seven hours of power supply in three phases to farmers, Siddaramaiah told reporters: “We had earlier announced to provide power to the irrigation pump sets for seven hours as there is a shortage of electricity in the state. Some people said that five hours of electricity in three phases was enough. For that, an instruction was given to provide electricity in three phases for five hours every day.”
He added: “Farmers of Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, and Yadgir requested that which was not enough for paddy cultivation. As sugarcane and paddy have been sowed, it has been notified that electricity will be provided for seven hours in these parts.”
The government has reportedly earmarked an estimated ₹1,500 crore to facilitate this seven-hour power supply.
“Funding for this initiative will be sourced from savings and grants redistribution,” said Siddaramaiah.
Responding to a question about electricity purchase, Siddaramaiah pointed out: “It is essential to note that our procurement strategy is dynamic and depends on the overall demand. Currently, 70 percent of thermal electricity is generated, and we are purchasing up to 1,000 units from external sources.”
He added: “This power acquisition involves a combination of local and imported coal, and we also engage in an exchange system with states like Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.”
He also said: “It’s important to emphasise that we have not procured electricity from any private entities. Additionally, we are committed to maintaining a transparent and sustainable approach in our electricity dealings.”
The chief minister also said: “We anticipate that this decision will positively impact the farming community, particularly in Raichur, Koppal, Ballari, and Yadgiri, and contribute to the overall well-being of our agricultural sector.”
