Karnataka Power & Energy Sector

[Krishnamoorthy K]

This thread is for power projects of Karnataka.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Power-starved Karnataka, which bought Rs 3,000 crore worth of power from private producers and neighbouring states to meet the shortage in 2008-09, has been able to weather the crisis this fiscal thanks to bountiful rains and excess generation of hydel power. The state has not purchased power from outside this fiscal.

The state has been able to improve the overall power situation through some short-term measures. It has drawn up a plan to increase power generation four-fold in the next 10 years. As against the present 6,800 Mw of power generation, the state aims to add around 25,000 Mw in the next decade.

Even as the industrial and commercial users have opposed the government move to impose load shedding and unscheduled power cuts in the rural and semi-urban areas, the government managed to supply power for 23 hours in Bangalore and 20 hours in other urban centres.

All three hydel stations — Linganamakki, Mani and Supa — have filled up to 100 per cent, 65 per cent and 79 per cent of their capacity respectively. As a result, the power availability has gone up 23 per cent to 5,801 million units as on December 29, 2009, compared with the same day last year. The daily power availability from all sources as on the day has touched 118 million units. This is expected to go up to 130-135 million units in January and reach 145 million units by March 2010 on the back of increased demand in summer season.

At present, the state is witnessing a restricted demand for 8,960 Mw. However, only 5,600 Mw is available from its own stations, a shortfall of 3,260 Mw, according to government sources.

“As against the requirement of around 8,960 Mw, we are generating around 5,700 Mw and the demand is rising 15-20 per cent annually. Our aim is to become self-reliant in three years,” KS Eshwarappa, minister for energy, said.

The state has taken short-term and long-term measures to improve the situation. Short- term measures include load management to distribute power to the consumers, appointment of superintending engineers (electrical) as nodal officers to each district, providing operation protocol for opening feeders under emergencies and daily monitoring of power distribution at government level by electricity supply companies’ monitoring cell.

As a long-term measure, the state aims to generate 25,140 Mw in 10 years, over four times compared with the available capacity. This includes the 4,000- Mw ultra mega power project by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) at Kudligi in Bijapur district, 7,900 Mw gas-based power project at four places along the proposed Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline. Besides, the state has tied up with Chhattisgarh to set up 1,600 Mw pit-head thermal plant, 1,600 Mw plant at Yeramaras and 800 Mw at Yedlapur in Raichur district by BHEL and KPCL, 1,320 Mw each projects at Gulbarga and Ghataprabha by private firms.

The Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd has proposed to set up a 2,100-Mw gas-based project at Tadadi in Uttara Kannada district and a second unit of 500 Mw at Bellary. The state also plans to develop 4,000 Mw renewable energy projects over five years. These include 2,969 Mw wind projects, 600 Mw mini hydel projects, 300 Mw bio-mass projects, 281 Mw cogeneration units and 50 Mw from waste to energy projects.

KPCL also has a big task of modernising its ageing thermal power station at Raichur, where six units are frequently tripping due to worn out machinery and they need overhaul. At this moment, the corporation is unable to shut more than one unit at a time for refurbishing.

Source: BS

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Minister for Power K S Eshwarappa said that government is making all the efforts to make state self sufficient in power sector.

Laying foundation for sub station at Mescom premises on Tuesday in NR Pura, he said that before BJP completes its current term, adequate quantity of electricity will be available in the State.

He said that at present 10,500 MW of electricity is being produced. About 1300 MW is received from Centre, 7000 mw from non conventional sources and 1470 MW from 7 electricity units of Raichur.

Production of 600 MW from Udupi Thermal plant is expected along with additional power from 8th unit of Raichur.

“Electricity worth Rs 3000 crore was purchased during last year. Discussion will be held with the Chief Minister over purchase of additional power so that students do not face problems in future,” he said and added that centre is providing less electricity to Karnataka when compared to Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

MLA D N Jeevaraj presiding over the programme said that a sum of Rs 34 crore was collected during last year as penalty for electricity theft. Over the last 9 months a sum of Rs 102 crore has been collected as penalty for the same.

Source: DHNS

[engineer.akash]

Private thermal plant proposed in Gulbarga

T.V. Sivanandan

13 private companies want to set up the plant

It is to be established on 1,516 acres of land at a cost of Rs. 7,000 crore

Farmers in Ferozabad, Kiranagi and Nadi Sinnur villages are opposing the project

Gulbarga: The proposal to set up a super critical 1,320 MW thermal power plant by private parties at a cost of Rs. 7,000 crore at Ferozabad on the outskirts of Gulbarga has been opposed by several farmers organisations and political parties. The protesters say that the identified site for the plant is fertile farmland.

According to sources, 13 companies including Reliance, Larsen and Toubro, JP, CMR, Lanco and others have expressed their interest in establishing the thermal plant.

The Government proposes to acquire 1,516 acres of land in Ferozabad, Kiranagi and Nadi Sinnur villages.

The farmers whose lands are likely to be acquired threaten that if the Government goes ahead with the proposal, they will stage a ‘rasta roko’ on the National Highway connecting Gulbarga and Bijapur passing through Ferozabad on January 23.

On December 29, 2009, farmers of the affected villages and the leaders of various political parties including former Minister S.K. Kanta of the JD (S) and the former Deputy Chairman Of The Legislative Council B.R. Patil took out a procession in Gulbarga from Jagat Circle to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and issued an ultimatum of two weeks for the State Government to reverse its decision to acquire land for the proposed thermal plant to be set up by private parties.

Chairman of the Farmers’ Joint Action Committee Jayakumar Konin, who is also the Chairman of the Agriculture Produce Marketing Committee (APMC), said here on Thursday that the district administration had assured that it would clarify the position on the acquisition of the lands within two weeks, “but so far neither the Deputy Commissioner nor the State Government had responded to the opposition of the farmers against the acquisition of their land for the project.”

The farmers have also expressed shock over the proposal to set up a cement plant by the Delhi-based company Chambal in the vicinity of the proposed thermal plant in an area of 2,400 acres of land. “The farmers in the region have not been told about the proposed site for the cement plant and without the knowledge of the owners of the lands a survey was conducted by the cement factory and a proposal sent to the Government expressing its interest to establish the cement factory”, Mr. Konin alleged.

According to some sources, only a small section of farmers were against land acquisition for the project. “While the market value is Rs. 4 lakh an acre, the farmers want Rs. 12 lakh an acre. We are confident of clinching a deal.”

A senior official who is closely involved in the talks with the individual farmers said, “We are ready to speak to all the stakeholders, including the leaders of the political parties to arrive at an amicable solution for establishing the thermal plant which would immensely help the State to tide over the present power crisis.”

http://www.hindu.com/2010/01/22/stor...2256550300.htm

[engineer.akash]

GAIL to complete work in two years

Bangalore: Chairman and Managing Director of Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) B.C. Tripathi has said that work on the Dabhol-Bangalore gas pipeline project will be completed by March 2012.

After a meeting with Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa here on Thursday, he told presspersons that the Rs. 4,544-crore project would also enable the generation of about 8,000 MW of power using gas in Karnataka.

— Special Correspondent

The Hindu

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Source: JSWEL

[engineer.akash]

Jindal assures power at lowest price
Bangalore: Jan 22, DHNS:

Vice-Chairman and Managing Director of JSW Steel, Sajjan Jindal on Friday assured Chief Minister Yeddyurappa that the Company will sell the surplus power to the State at the lowest tender price.

In a closed door meeting held at the Chief Minister’s home office ‘Krishna,’ Jindal is learnt to have said that the Company has 625 mega watt of surplus captive power. It will accord priority to the State while selling power.

Presently, the Company is selling the surplus power outside the State.

Power crisis

Karnataka is facing a severe power shortage. Hence, the Government has announced loadshedding across the State, including Bangalore.

Recently, it announced to go for power purchase to cope with the situation.
Besides, Jindal learnt to have requested Yeddyurappa to help the Company to procure adequate quantity of iron ore for the JSW Plant in Bellary.

Later, Chairman and Managing Director of L&T A M Naik met Yeddyurappa and held discussions over the company’s projects in the State.

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/...est-price.html

[engineer.akash]

State to buy 1,350 MW power soon

Shimoga, Jan 23, DHNS:

The Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has approved the purchase of 1,350 MW of power over a period of three months, Energy Minister K S Eshwarappa announced here on Saturday.

Speaking to reporters he said 450 MW per month will be procured for the months of February, March and April.

The financial implication of purchasing this quantity of power is a total of Rs 330 crore at Rs 110 crore per month. The Chief Minister has agreed to sanction this amount to the department, he said.

The purchase of power will result in uninterrupted power supply from 5 am to 7 am and 7 pm to 11 pm, benefiting students and farmers. Tenders have already been called in this regard and the process will be completed by January 29. From February 1 uninterrupted power supply will be assured, he said.

Deccan herlad

[Krishnamoorthy K]

RAICHUR: It is official now. A study by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in association with Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi (IIT-Delhi) has revealed that the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), contrary to the claims by Karnataka Power Corporation claims, has led to 68.07 per cent pollution in the region.

The CPCB and IIT-Delhi recently carried out an environmental assessment of industrial clusters across the country based on comprehensive environmental pollution index (CEPI) with the aim of identifying polluted industrial clusters and prioritising planning needs for intervention to improve the quality of the environment in these industrial clusters and the nation as a whole. The assessment has been documented in the form of a report titled ‘comprehensive environmental assessment of industrial clusters’. The industrial clusters have been listed in the report in descending order of environment pollution index scores. The report has concluded that the industrial clusters having aggregated CEPI scores between 60 per cent to 70 per cent should be considered severely polluted areas and shall be kept under surveillance and pollution control measures should be efficiently implemented.

The industrial cluster has polluted 68.07 per cent of the region. As the region has no other major industry, the environmental pollution is attributed to the Raichur thermal power station.

The report was published on January 13. Mangalore has been considered critically polluted with 73.34 per cent pollution.

Source: EB

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Chikmagalur, DHNS:

'Students who will be facing examinations soon can heave a sigh of relief if they are worried about power cuts. CM has released Rs 310 crore specifically to purchase power so that there is no power cuts during examination time,' said Minister for Power K S Eshwarappa.

Addressing the gathering after laying foundation stone for Kadur town Mescom divisional office building on Monday in Chikmagalur, he said that with this there will be no need to have power cuts.

Presiding over the programme Kadur MLA K M Krishnamurthy said that the divisional office will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 96 crore. “So far no farmers have staged protest outside mescom office. This shows that farmers are not facing power problems,” he said.

A demand to approve Bukkasagara and Antharghatta sub stations were kept forth.
Mescom Managing Director S Sumanth, Mescom Chief Engineer M Mahadeva, Town Municipal Council President Rajeshwari Puttaraju, Vice-President K G Lokesh and others were present.

Source: DHNS

[Krishnamoorthy K]

BANGALORE: The State Government is yet to procure additional power to tide over the shortage. However, Additional Chief Secretary K. Jairaj told presspersons on Friday that the additional power would be procured soon. According to him, the State would need an additional 400 MW to 500 MW of power to tide over shortage from February to April. He said the government had agreed to provide Rs. 100 crore for each of these three months for power procurement.

Source: The Hindu


Madikeri: Concern over slow pace of work under electrification project

* Only 2,924 houses of the targeted 30,000 provided electricity
* The project involves an expenditure of Rs. 60.17 crore
* Officials asked to submit additional list of beneficiaries

[Krishnamoorthy K]

The Karnataka government will again go before the State power regulator seeking permission to impose a “green cess” on industries to raise funds to support the renewable energy initiatives.

Announcing this while participating in a seminar on “Renewable energy options in hotels, hospitals and technical institutions” organised by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Karnataka Energy Department and the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited in Bangalore on Friday, Additional Chief Secretary K. Jairaj said the State was planning to raise additional resources to the tune of Rs. 50 crore a year through the proposed cess.

Tariff petition

In the tariff petition filed before the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission last year, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) had proposed to levy a green cess of 5 paise a unit of power consumed by the Low Tension Industrial and Commercial consumers. But the commission had not considered such a proposal on the grounds that “such a levy is not a part of the tariff issue and hence it is outside the scope of the tariff order.”

However, Mr. Jairaj told presspersons later that this time an exclusive proposal would be made before the commission regarding green cess. He made it clear that the exact quantum of cess to be levied on every unit of consumption was yet to be worked out this time.

The cess amount would be used for building infrastructure for renewable energy projects such as laying new power lines for evacuation of power, he said and pointed out that such a system was in practice in the neighbouring Maharashtra. The government had formed an empowered committee headed by the Chief Secretary to provide clearances for renewable energy projects.

Source: The Hindu

Green cess: KERC nod sought again

[Krishnamoorthy K]

The High Court on Friday ordered issue of notices to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, the State Revenue Secretary, the KSPCB, the Udupi DC and the Konkan Rail Corporation Limited and the Udupi Power Corporation Limited, over land acquired to build a railway line and yard for transportation of coal to Padubidri Thermal Power Plant.

Read complete news on DHNS.



Courtesy: NammaPadubidri

Proposed 220 KV line will denude 400 acres of forest in Western Ghats

Environment Minister, Krishna J Palemar on Thursday made it clear that the Environment Department will not clear the proposed line since it would have “adverse” effect on the ecological system in the Western Ghats.

At a two-day conference on the conservation of the biodiversity in the Western Ghats, Palemar directed the Principal Secretary, Environment Department not to give a clearance to the project.

“The proposed 220 KV line from Udupi to Hassan will denude 400 acres of forest land in the Western Ghats. It is a concern of environmental safety in the State,” he said.

According to the initial proposal sent by the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) to the Environment Department for clearance of the Udupi Power Project, it has been stated that 52 meter wide corridor will be built for the project on 400 acres of land.

“It would mean cutting down an enormous number of trees,” he said. The Department has told the KPTCL to look for an alternative route for the project.

[engineer.akash]

‘Rural electrification project progress is poor’

Madikeri, DHNS:Contractors were given Rs 13.42 crore. However, the progress is not even worth Rs one crore.

This is the condition of ambitious Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification project in the district. The project aimed at supplying electricity to 30,000 BPL families in 293 villages.

Speaking at the KDP review meeting, CHESCOM Engineer said “Rs 60 crore project will be implemented in the district. Deepak Cables of Bangalore have taken the contract under the project. A sum of Rs 13.42 crore has been given to them. However, they have not completed the work.”

District -in-Charge Minister Krishna Palemar directed the officials to suspend the contract. However, MLC Nanaiah said “if we suspend the contract, they will question it in the court of law. This will delay the work.”

The meet decided to discuss the issue with CHESCOM MD.

Engineer said “the contractors were given Rs 13.42 crore in advance for the purchase of materials. The contractor has purchased Rs 8 crore worth materials. Electricity connection has been given to 2,924 houses spending Rs 94 lakh.”

It has been planned to supply electricity to 30,000 BPL families in the district. TP EOs have already sent 18000 BPL families list. ZP CEO Mirja Akbarulla assured to release the remaining lists at the earliest.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Karnataka has proposed ‘green cess’ on industries to raise funds for promoting the renewable energy sector and has identified four locations that could be developed as solar cities.

The state government hopes to raise around Rs 50 crore to Rs 60 crore from the initiative, for which it would seek the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission’s approval, Additional Chief Secretary (Energy Department) K Jairaj said. This “seed money” would be utilised for the development of renewable energy, incubation of projects and enhance capabilities on evacuation of wind power in districts such as Chitradurga, Gadag and Davanagere, he said.

The initiative is proposed to be taken as there is no special fund for development of the sector from the State government; incentives only come from Government of India. “It (green cess) is an attempt to meet some of our requirements (in the renewable energy space),” Jairaj said on the sidelines of a seminar on renewable energy options in hotels, hospitals and technical institutions here.

Managing Director of the Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) H G Shivananda Murthy, said the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has approved the state’s proposal to promote Mysore and Hubli-Dharwad as solar cities. Now, Belgaum and Shimoga are also proposed to be promoted in a similar way, he added.

Source: BS

Why Mangaluru, Kalaburgi (Gulbarga), Ballari are left out from solar city plan?

[engineer.akash]

220 KV power plant in taluk: Minister

Pavagad, Feb 3, DHNS:Sericulture and Small Industries Minister Venkataramanappa said a 220 KV power line has been granted to the taluk at cost of Rs 70 crore.

The government has already released amount to purchase 15 acres of land at Arakyathanahalli, he said.

He was speaking after inaugurating various developmental works in Thippayyanadurga Gollarahatti and Maridasanahalli in Pavagad taluk on Wednesday.

A list of places selected to implement hutless project in which taluk is also the beneficiary is being reviewed at the secretariat level, he added.

The minister promised to bring water to taluk from Pinakini river and also water to Y N Hosakote from Jalodu lake. He assured to build a community hall in the taluk.

DHNS

Krishnamoorthy,Bellary already has a 500 MW thermal power plant,Belgaum will soon get 2000 cr Zuari natural gas plant

[Krishnamoorthy K]

BANGALORE: The renewable energy policy, which was released in December last year and reached the producers last month, has left them disappointed.

The various renewable energy producers associations have strongly reacted against the policy calling it ‘grossly inadequate’, while the energy department says the producers should be ‘happy’ about such a forward looking policy.

“Despite repeated representations that clearly stated the main requirement of the renewable energy policy, what has come out is grossly inadequate and disappointing, say representatives of Indian Wind Power Association (IWPA).

The much hyped singlewindow- clearance system also failed to meet the expectations of the producers.

In its present form, it is just a just a review body headed by the Chief Secretary; the producers will still have to go through all the departments to get the project approval.

K Jairaj, Principal Secretary (Energy), however, said that the body headed by the chief secretary would be an empowered committee.

“The department has taken honest steps towards ensuring the development of renewable energy in the state, the effort should be appreciated,” said Jairaj.

On the other hand, the renewable producers, have said, they would reject the proposal, “as it is clear from the policy that the makers have not in the least paid any attention to our comments”.

The Associations are planning to submit a letter to the Energy Department soon.

Narayan Rao from the Renewable Energy Developers Association of Karanataka (REDAK) told Express, “The policy is unworkable, and the guidelines are vague. The government should have had framed a clear-cut policy like the ones is Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and other states.” Further, the renewable energy producers allege that the department is giving Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd (KPCL) preferential treatment by reserving Wind Power Projects in Kappadagudda, Gudur, Mallur and other areas.

KPCL has been a pioneer, it introduced the first wind
power project in the state, however, in the last 15 years KPCL’s contributions have been minimal, an an IWPA representative Through the policy initiative the government aims to bring in Rs 1,600 crore every year.

Source: EB

[Krishnamoorthy K]

The State government on Monday purchased 200 MW of power from the Jindal power plant, Bellary, to meet the increasing demand for power in the summer months.

Another 80 MW is likely to be purchased from Tata Power Company Limited, sources said.

As on Monday, the supply was 129.66 million units (MU) a day, which is almost equal to the demand, sources in the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation (KPTCL) said.

However, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Tuesday put the demand at 150 MU and the supply in the range of 125 to 130 MU. He said 280 MW of power is being additionally purchased.

The demand-supply gap, according to the chief minister, is about 20 per cent. Even while assuming the additional purchase of power to be 280 MW, the gap will be around 12 per cent. The government pays Rs 4.50 per unit for purchasing power.

Sources in the KPTCL said the government should be purchasing at least 400 to 500 MW to meet the projected demand in the summer months. Even with the additional purchase of 200 MW, the electricity supply companies will not be able to do away with load-shedding either in urban or rural areas.

In Bangalore, Bangalore Electricity Supply Company is resorting to an unscheduled load-shedding for an hour, and in other urban areas it is for four hours and in rural areas there is a 12-hour load-shedding.

Addressing media persons, the chief minister said the government would soon float tenders to purchase an additional 200 MW of power. If the government decides to purchase power for the next two to three years, the suppliers might sell power at a reasonable rate, he said.

In the offing

* Udupi Power Corporation: 2x600 MW thermal plants; the first unit to be inaugurated in February 2010.

* RTPS 8th unit of 250 MW: to be completed in March 2010.

* A coal based power plant of 4000 MW capacity at Kudgi, Bijapur is planned in collaboration with NTPC; land acquisition has begun.

* 2x800 MW thermal units to come up at Yeramarus, Raichur district.

* Construction on 800 MW capacity plant at Yedlapur will start in April 2010.

* Thermal power unit 2 of 500 MWs capacity at Bellary will be commissioned in November 2010.

Source: DHNS

When they are going to start construction of gas based units?

[engineer.akash]

* Udupi Power Corporation: 2x600 MW thermal plants; the first unit to be inaugurated in February 2010.

* RTPS 8th unit of 250 MW: to be completed in March 2010.

* Thermal power unit 2 of 500 MWs capacity at Bellary will be commissioned in November 2010.

Looks cool,Karnataka will then not have to spend crores to buy power from the national grid.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Padubidri: Envronmental and Forest Ministry meeting will be held on 12th February to discuss on 1320 MW thermal power plant with two units of 660 MW capacity each proposed at Mooluru near Padubidri.

NSL Nagapatnam Power & Infratech Private Limited has applied for environmental clearance to the union government. The western portion of national highway near Mooluru is selected for this purpose.

Read more on Udayavani

‘No proposal for thermal power plant at Mulur’

MANGALORE: President of the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party K.S. Eshwarappa said here on Monday that no company had approached the Government for setting up a thermal power plant at Mulur, near Padubidri, in Udupi district.

Replying to a question at a press conference, he said, “We will examine whenever a proposal for setting up a second thermal plant in the region comes up before the Government.”

However, Mr. Eshwarappa said that the State needed electricity and there was no point in opposing all power projects.

He claimed that the Government would not acquire land for power projects or other industrial projects by force.

Union Minister for Power Sushilkumar Shinde had gone on record that all houses in the country would have access to electricity by 2012. “It will not be possible to achieve this unless power projects are allowed to come up,” Mr. Eshwarappa said.