By September, the state is likely to add another 1,100 MW of power to its grid as the second unit of the Bellary Thermal Power Station and Udupi Power Corporation become operational. But this may still not help it overcome the power shortage haunting it as the Karnataka Power Corporation (KPCL) continues to be reluctant to tackle the ailing units of the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), which accounts for 40 per cent of the total power generated in Karnataka.
With the eight RTPS units breaking down frequently by turns, the power forecast for the state remains bleak, say experts, pointing out that the RTPS currently generates only about 23 million units against its installed capacity of 40 million units, as four out of its units remain shut most times and the remaining are flogged to reach their full capacity. While the first two units (set up in 1985-86) with a capacity of 210 MW each, are badly in need of overhauling and may give way any time, the eighth unit, that was to be operational on January 11, has failed to take off due to an “intrinsic defect.”
Energy minister, Shobha Karandlaje, seemed to wake up to the crisis recently, when she announced that a penalty of Rs 250 crore would be imposed on BHEL for delaying the repairs on the eighth unit. “For the last 18 months, we have pursued the faulty unit issue with BHEL, but it has only given us assurances that it will be repaired. Now, we have asked it to replace the faulty turbine at its own cost and expect it to pay Rs 250 crore as penalty for delaying the work. We also intend to demand additional penalty towards the power purchased (per unit cost) during this period,” she said.
The minister, like her predecessors, was, however, hesitant to overhaul the first two units. “We have set aside funds to computerise controls of the two oldest units, but cannot take up their renovation now, as it would take at least eight months to complete and we cannot afford to keep them shut for so long. We are looking for experts who have done a similar job in Gujarat in a shorter span of time,” she explained.
But experts warn that in the meanwhile, collapse of any of the old units could make the power situation precarious, compelling the government to purchase power at exorbitant rates again to meet the needs of the people.