Bangalore: The State Government has categorically stated that there is sufficient storage in the reservoirs in the State and there is no need for anxiety over power availability irrespective of the fact that electricity consumption has touched a new high of 127 mu. a day in the past few days.

Sources in the Government told The Hindu here on Sunday that Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. (KPTCL) had resorted to unscheduled load shedding only to ensure grid stability and not due to power shortage. It was, however, a fact that there was a growing gap between electricity supply and demand, but this was being made good with imports from neighbouring States and from the central generating stations. The anxiety among the people was largely due to the sudden announcement by KPTCL on long hours of unscheduled load shedding.

The Sivasamudram hydel station in Mandya district has generated a record quantum of electricity over the past few months, thanks to the modernisation of the station and good storage of water. "There should not be any concern. Power demand has reached a new peak and we are confident of meeting the demand. In another three weeks, the demand will decline after the agricultural season comes to an end, and with the onset of monsoon, there should be a further slump in demand," the sources said.

Managing Director of Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd L.V. Nagarajan said all hydel and thermal stations were working to their optimum capacity. Further, the storage in most of the reservoirs was good and there would be no problem in meeting the demand.

Meanwhile, Visvesvaraya Vidyut Nigama Ltd., which manages old power-generating stations such as the Sivasamudram Hydel Station and Mahatma Gandhi Hydel Station across the Sharavathi would shortly be merged with Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd. to ensure optimum efficiency in power generation. Some of these units would be modernised. The Sivasamudram station was recently modernised at a cost of Rs. 75 crore.

The Government has approached the Company Law Board, New Delhi, to permit the merger and the approval is expected shortly.

Mr. Nagarajan said KPCL had prepared an elaborate plan to step up the efficiency of the old power stations. To begin with, the 1330-MW Sharavathi hydel station and the 120-MW Mahatma Gandhi station would be integrated. The Sivasamudram station would be further modernised with changes in the control and power transmission systems.

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