Karnataka’s agriculture power supply will return to seven hours a day within three to four days, Energy Minister K.J. George said, after a temporary reduction linked to increased electricity demand and repairs at the Raichur Thermal Power Station.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday, George said agricultural activities had faced a one-hour reduction in electricity supply during a period when demand was rising and the Raichur plant had developed a fault. He said the plant has now been repaired and the reduction in supply to agricultural pump sets will be withdrawn.
The minister said the state currently has an electricity shortfall of 1,000 megawatts. During the monsoon, demand had reached 20,000 MW, adding pressure to the state’s power system. George said the government would discuss further measures with the Chief Minister if demand rises beyond current levels.
George also said the state was not carrying out load shedding. His assurance comes as the government works to restore the earlier supply schedule for agriculture, a sector that depends on the timing and availability of electricity for pump-set operations.
The minister said Karnataka had previously exchanged electricity with Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, but that power exchanges were currently not possible even when payment was offered. He added that although Karnataka could not supply as much electricity to other states during this monsoon, it had continued to provide power to them in accordance with existing agreements.
The statements point to a supply-management challenge involving demand growth, generation-plant availability and interstate power arrangements. The immediate administrative commitment is to restore seven hours of electricity for agricultural pump sets within three to four days, while any response to a further increase in demand will be discussed with the Chief Minister.
