Bengaluru: The demand for power is on the rise, due to various reasons and officials in the energy department said with the Yelahanka gas based power generation plant being shut down, power generation will not be affected.
The state on Thursday, March 12, 2026, recorded the highest demand- 18,800MW at 10.30am. According to officials in the energy department, this was the highest in the last two years. Last year on March 7 and 19, the state had recorded the highest demand of 18,395MW.
"Due to the war crises, Gas Authority of India (GAIL) stopped gas supply to Yelahanka gas power plant. This was done, following Central government directions through a gazette notification were issued on March 11, 2026 prioritizing the list of consumers in that power generation falls under the least priority category. We do not condemn it as, gas demand in other sectors is more essential at the moment. Further, shutting down the power plant for sometime will not affect power generation," a senior official from Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) said.
Also since power generation has been placed in the lowest priority category, gas supply to this sector is likely to remain restricted until the natural gas shortage eases, the official said.
The official also noted that the Yelahanka gas power plant started operations after a prolonged delay due to multiple reasons and so the power generation from this unit was an additional feature.
But not a dependent factor. Due to the summer months, there is a rise in solar power generation. There is also power supply from other sources which is meeting the rising demand.
The Yelahanka gas power plant generates 370MW. The state's total power generation is 36,000-37,000MW of which around 56% is from renewable energy sources and the remaining are conventional sources including thermal, hydro, central grid share and gas based power.
The State has also been meeting its demand through power exchange arrangements with Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
"There is a demand is power demand as the days and months are progressing. This is because of multiple reasons, including rising temperatures, agriculture, industrial targets, rise in use of fans and air conditioners. While there is stability in industrial demand, there is fluctuating rise in domestic and commercial sector demand. It is being closely monitored," the official added.