Karnataka power demand surges as failed monsoon keeps farmers' pumpsets running

Electricity consumption by irrigation pumpsets in Karnataka rose by 25% to 50% in September and October this year, compared with the same months last year when the State received adequate rainfall, according to sources in the Energy Department. Karnataka has about 39 lakh agricultural pumpsets.

The spurt follows a deficient monsoon from June to September, which left farmers relying heavily on pumpsets to draw groundwater and lift water for their crops. According to the department, average daily electricity consumption in the State rose to 349-362 Million Units (MU) in the first two weeks of October, higher than the 340 MU recorded in September.

Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department, said the load had increased across domestic, commercial, industrial and agricultural categories. "All thanks to the monsoon failure from June to September, farmers were forced to use pumpsets for long duration on all the days to protect their crops," he said. He also pointed to rising "cooling loads" in households — the energy needed to keep indoor air at a steady temperature and humidity level.

Higher temperatures meant fans and air conditioners ran for longer hours. Sources said electricity load in the domestic, commercial and industrial categories went up by about 18%. In September, overall power demand was almost one-third higher than in the same month last year.

The department also flagged a sharp fall in wind energy generation, from an average of 2,500-3,000 MW during the monsoon to 400-600 MW. Wind generation in the State typically picks up during the monsoon months and tapers off afterwards, and this year's shortfall added to the strain on the grid. Mr. Gupta said the situation led to a few power cuts across the State last month.

Demand has since eased. Mr. Gupta said rains in the past few days of October would likely reduce pumpset use for cultivation, while the use of fans and air conditioners may also see a steep fall. He attributed the dip to the rains since October 11 and to the continuous Dasara holidays, when most factories and offices were closed.

Data from the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) reflects the change. Average demand was 277.92 MU on October 20 and 284.98 MU on October 21.

The figures illustrate how weather and agricultural cycles shape electricity demand in a State where irrigation pumpsets form a large share of the connected load. A weak monsoon raises farm power use at the same time as it reduces the availability of renewable generation, leaving the grid to manage a wider gap between demand and supply. Officials did not specify the additional costs involved or the extent of the power cuts reported last month.