3 weeks ago
Karnataka power demand surges to 300 million units during monsoon
During the rainy season in Karnataka, a state in India, people usually need less electricity.
But this year, something strange is happening.
The rain has been very weak and patchy.
Because it is so hot and dry, people are using fans and air coolers more.
Farmers also need extra electricity to pump water to their crops.
Because of this, the state is using a huge amount of electricity, about 300 million units every day.
Last year at the same time, it only used about 200 to 220 million units.
To keep up, power plants that use coal, water, sun, and wind are all working very hard.
The coal-burning power plants are using up their coal quickly, so the state may need to buy more coal soon.
Karnataka's daily power consumption has reached 300 million units, up from 200-220 million units during the same period last year.
Officials attribute the unusual surge primarily to below-normal and erratic rainfall across large parts of the state.
Utilities are running thermal, hydro, solar and wind plants at near-maximum capacity, with total daily generation around 300 million units.
At Raichur Thermal Power Station, five of eight units are operational, generating around 1,090 MW, with one more unit due to resume on August 6.
At Yermarus Thermal Power Station, only one of two 800 MW units is running, and officials warn additional coal supplies will be needed if demand persists.
- Who
- Karnataka's power utilities and state officials
- What
- An unusual surge in daily electricity consumption to 300 million units during the monsoon season
- Where
- Karnataka, India
- When
- During the southwest monsoon, with one thermal unit expected to resume on August 6
- Why
- Below-normal and erratic rainfall has increased use of cooling appliances and irrigation pump sets
Key facts
- Daily power consumption
- ~300 million units
- Consumption same period last year
- 200-220 million units per day
- Total daily generation
- ~300 million units from thermal, hydro, solar and wind
- Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) capacity
- 1,720 MW, with 5 of 8 units operational
- RTPS coal stock
- ~1.70 lakh tonnes (10-11 days of operation)
- Yermarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS)
- 1 of 2 units operational; other under annual maintenance
- YTPS coal stock
- ~2 lakh tonnes (~12 days of operation)
- Solar and wind generation
- ~7,000 MW
Sources
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