'Steps to be taken to avoid load-shedding in summer'

Energy Minister D K Shivakumar on Friday reiterated that steps would be taken to ensure there is no load-shedding during the coming summer months.

Replying to questions by D C Thammanna (JD-S) in the Assembly, the minister said hydel power generation has come down due to the prevailing drought. The Raichur thermal plant has not been working to the maximum capacity.

While the total generating capacity in the state is 18,015 MW,  in October, the production was 6,035 MW. Still, efforts would be made to ensure that there is no inconvenience to consumers in the coming months, he added.

In his written reply to K Gopalaiah (JD-S), Shivakumar said to overcome the shortage in production, the government will purchase 450 MW from Damodar Valley Corporation. The tender process has been completed to purchase 900 MW for a short period. An agreement has been reached to purchase 300 MW from Maharashtra till May next. KERC’s permission has been sought to purchase 1,200 MW from December 15 to next May. From the Central grid, an additional 200 MW has been given to Karnataka, he added.