Karnataka tackles surging power demand with higher thermal output, coal stockpile plans

With daily power demand in Karnataka soaring to between 310 and 350 million units (MU), compared with around 200 MU in August last year, the state-run power generator is ramping up thermal production to ensure uninterrupted supply. The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) has said that hydropower alone cannot bridge the gap, given inadequate rainfall in catchment areas.

To meet the growing demand, KPCL is working to increase thermal power generation to around 100 MU per day. The corporation has set an annual target of 29,500 MU from thermal sources. However, challenges such as three thermal units undergoing maintenance, rainwater accumulation in coal mines, and wet coal during transportation from other states have complicated the task.

KPCL officials said the combined installed capacity of the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), Yermarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS), and Ballari Thermal Power Station (BTPS) is 5,020 megawatts (MW). At present, approximately 3,910 MW is available for generation, while three units are under maintenance. An 800 MW unit at YTPS is expected to resume generation on August 24 after annual maintenance, and a 210 MW unit at RTPS is expected to come back online on August 31. With these restorations, available capacity is expected to rise to about 4,810 MW by the end of the month.

KPCL's hydel generation has been modest this year. Up to July, the corporation generated 3,480 MU of hydropower. The current equivalent energy—the electricity that can potentially be generated from water stored in reservoirs—is 4,585 MU, bringing the total available hydropower potential to approximately 8,065 MU. If the state receives good rainfall during August and September, this could increase to around 10,000 MU, providing some relief.

Coal logistics remain a major concern. Officials said recent rains have made handling and transport of coal from outside Karnataka difficult. Water accumulation in mines can disrupt mining and dispatch, as well as loading and unloading operations. To address this, KPCL is working to maintain sufficient coal stocks at its thermal stations. Currently, the stations hold about 6.5 lakh metric tonnes, enough for roughly 15 days. The daily coal requirement is approximately 44,000 metric tonnes, while 50,000 metric tonnes are being received each day.

KPCL is taking steps to increase coal stocks to ensure a buffer of 15–18 days. Officials said Coal India Limited has agreed to supply coal as per the state's requirements. The Railways has also agreed to allocate the required number of empty rakes for transporting coal from mines to KPCL's thermal power stations. In addition, KPCL plans to enhance production from the Baranj Captive Coal Mine in Nagpur, Maharashtra, to further strengthen fuel security and ensure a reliable coal supply.

The move comes as Karnataka's power demand has been rising steadily, driven by agricultural needs, industrial consumption, and increased residential usage. The state's grid has been under pressure, and the addition of thermal capacity is seen as a necessary step to avoid outages during the peak demand season.