The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Reduce energy use for lighting by half, commercial users told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jul 24, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Reduce energy use for lighting by half, commercial users told

Special Correspondent

BANGALORE: Close on the heels of making an official announcement on enforcement of 20 per cent loadshedding in the State, the power utilities have appealed to the commercial categories of consumers to restrict their lighting consumption by about 50 per cent.

Making a presentation on the power scenario at a meeting of all-party leaders convened by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, Energy Department Principal Secretary K. Jairaj appealed to the commercial consumers to desist from using motive power during the evening peak hours to tide over power shortage.

Although Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Ltd. is mulling over 220-KV station-wise staggering of holidays for the High Tension Power consumers, it is not sure whether the respective electricity supply companies (Escoms) would go for this pattern or enforce daily loadshedding for them.

Meanwhile, the quota of power for all the five Escoms has been reduced by 20 per cent. While Bescom has been given 48 per cent of the energy available in the State (100 million units), Mescom has been allocated 8.50 per cent, Chescom 9.50 per cent, Hescom 19 per cent and Gescom 15 per cent.

Bescom had been given 54 MUs. It has to reduce its power load from 2,400 MW to 1,992 MW now. The power supply situation in Bescom, especially Bangalore, will be tough to manage during peak hours as that was the time when the demand for power would shoot up by a huge margin.

KPTCL has decided to put in place a “protocol” to ensure strict adherence to reduction in power quota of each of the Escoms. Accordingly, each of the power station will have its own quota. If any power station uses excess power, it will be cut from the quota of the respective Escom.

The power situation in Karnataka was explained by officials as well as the Chief Minister to the leaders of all political parties on Wednesday.

The meeting held discussions on issues pertaining to the fertilizers’ shortage and Hogenakkal controversy.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka