BANGALORE: In a bid to increase the power generation capacity of the state, Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) on Friday tied up with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for implementation of 700 mega Watt, third thermal power station unit at Bellary.
This was the third joint venture of KPCL with BHEL. The first was a 500 MW unit at Bellary generating 10 to 12 million units a day. "The second unit of 500 MW is in the final stages and is expected to be commissioned before September 2011," Power Minister Shobha Karandlaje told reporters here after handing over a cheque of `185 crore to BHEL.
According to her, the state government has decided to add 10,000 MW of power in 10 years and now the state has been producing 7,500 MW of power with 1,200 MW being purchased from other states. "The third unit will add another ten percent of power to the state grid and will help us meet the demand," the Power Minister added.
She said the daily demand for power was 150160 million units and this will rise during summer. Hydel power stations in the state were generating 48 million units a day and the department has taken steps to meet the demand in summer.
The state government has not been resorting unscheduled load shedding in the state. In Banaglore city, the consumers were getting 24 hours power, she said. "If the Centre agrees to supply coal, we can start four more power generation units including one at Chhattisghar," Karandlaje said and added, "To save 500 MW of power, the state government has taken steps to instruct consumers to use more CFL and LED bulbs. BESCOM has taken up this exercise and it will be extended to other parts of the state."
