Energy Minister K.J. George Assures No Load-Shedding During Summer Months

Doddaballapura: Karnataka is fully prepared to tackle the anticipated surge in power demand this summer, with projections reaching 19,000 MW, Energy Minister K.J. George announced during a review meeting at the Doddaballapura District Commissioner's office. The minister assured the public that all necessary measures have been implemented to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply and ruled out any possibility of load-shedding.

The state experienced a peak power demand of 17,000 MW last summer, and this year, an increase is projected based on analyses by the State Load Dispatch Center (SLDC) and Power Company of Karnataka Limited (PCKL) using advanced Artificial Intelligence technology. Minister George emphasized the importance of meticulous planning to meet this demand and directed officials to expedite preparations to ensure a smooth power supply during the summer months.

To address the increased demand, Karnataka is sourcing electricity from neighboring states and prioritizing power exchanges. The minister stressed the need for timely discussions with these states to finalize agreements. Additionally, he underscored the importance of securing long-term power contracts at lower rates to mitigate the high costs of short-term electricity procurement.

Highlighting sustainability initiatives, Minister George discussed the progress of the Kusum C Feeder Solarization Project. This initiative involves installing solar power-generating units to supply electricity directly to nearby substations, ensuring a steady and localized power supply. The minister instructed implementing vendors to fast-track the project and meet deadlines without delays to enhance service reliability.

The review meeting included participation from prominent leaders and officials, including Food, Civil Supplies, and Consumer Affairs Minister K.H. Muniyappa, Bangalore Rural District In-charge Minister; Hoskote MLA Sharath Bacchegowda; Nelamangala MLA N. Srinivas; MLC S. Ravi; Bangalore International Airport Area Planning Authority (BIAAPA) Chairman Manjunath; Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta; KPTCL Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Pandey; BESCOM MD Mahantesh Bilagi; Bangalore Rural DC Shivashankar; and other senior officials.

With these proactive measures, Karnataka aims to ensure a reliable power supply for its citizens while minimizing disruptions during the peak summer season.