BENGALURU: With strong southwest and northeast monsoons favoring Karnataka, power demand has declined, but hydel power generation has not. Additionally, because demand across the country is low, the energy ministry has excess electricity that it is unable to sell to the grid.

Due to low demand, the energy department closed the recently launched Yelahanka power plant, which generates 370 MW. “We have also closed two units of Udupi Power Corporation Limited (UPCLcl), two units of Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) and parts of other units. While we insist on hydrogen resources for electricity generation, we cannot stop thermal power plants. We have to maintain constant production as we don’t know when the demand will suddenly increase,” said an official of Karnataka Power Corporation Limited.

According to information from the State Load Dispatch Center, hydroelectric production represents 2,672 MW out of a total production of 9,865 MW, as of October 30.

“Electricity demand is low and industries and offices are on festive holiday. Across India, demand from other states is also low, making it difficult for us to sell the electricity produced. We are producing more than what is needed at the moment,” the official said.

Explaining the details of power trading, the official said that on October 29, the department sold 0.049 MU and realized an amount of Rs 0.01 crore, where power was sold at Rs 2.04 per unit. “The current energy market is very poor. Prices vary between Rs 3 and Rs 5 per unit. During peak hours, the fare goes up to Rs 10 per unit, but it also takes 15 to 30 minutes. But at the moment our demand is also high and good sales cannot be achieved,” explained the official.

According to data from the Department of Energy, on October 29, the peak load was 229.19 million units (MU), while last year at the same period, it was 271.46 MU. The peak load at 11am on October 29 was 11,877 MW, while at the same time last year it was 15,129 MW. As of 11 a.m. on October 30, the peak load was 11,200 MW, and at the same time last year it was 17,220 MW. “This month, we had forecast a power demand of at least 14,800 MW, or about 206 MU, but we only reached 204 MU,” the official said.