Gulbarga ESCOM seeks load-shedding

Following Bangalore Electricity Supply Company’s (BESCOM) example to enforce scheduled power cuts beginning from Friday, other ESCOMs have reportedly approached the government for the same.

Already several parts of the state are reeling under erratic power cuts of six to 10 hours a day for the past few days owing to power shortage in Karnataka.

Venkatesh, Executive Engineer of the Gulbarga ESCOM said, “As of now, our area is experiencing close to three hours of unscheduled load-shedding, however, we have sent a proposal seeking permission for scheduled load-shedding.”

However, according to sources in the Mangalore ESCOM, due to the extended rains in the region additional energy has been generated by hydel power units and this has helped it to meet the needs of consumers in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts.

With close to 2,000 industries, the Hubli-Dharwad region is not as lucky as Mangalore. The region is currently facing scheduled power cuts for over five hours (6am to 9am and 7pm to 9pm) besides unscheduled power cuts since the past month.

A Hubli ESCOM top official, on condition of anonymity said, the requirement of Hubli-Dharwad was nearly 5,000 to 6,000 MW, however, the allocation was hardly 950-1070 MW. “Following rains the power situation in the region has improved, however, if the generation slips load-shedding is inevitable,” he added.

Rains in Mysore district on Friday has reportedly lessened the burden on the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Company (CESC), as the district was plagued with unscheduled power cut for about four to six hours daily. The unschedule power cuts was affecting the production of 24,800 industries in eight industrial areas in the district.

CESC chief engineer M Shanthi admitted while there is scheduled power cut due to maintenance work, there is no load-shedding in the district.

“Out of total 650 MW power supply, we are managing the district with 300 MW power. After rainfall on last Friday, there is no load-shedding in the district,” Shanthi said.