The first 500 MW unit at BTPS is already in operation, while the second 500 MW unit is in the final stages of completion and expected to be operational during 2011. “This proposed BTPS Unit 3 is 700 MW, which is almost 10 per cent of the present peak demand. So, we hope for fast implementation of this project in order to ease the power shortage situation in the state,” Sobha Karandlaje, minister for energy of Karnataka government said.
Earlier, BHEL had been awarded the contract for the super critical third unit of 700 MW capacity in the state.
“Apart from BTPS unit three of 700 MW, Yermarus Thermal Power Plant of 1600 MW have also been awarded to BHEL and we expect them to implement it in time to reduce the power shortage situation in the state,” Sobha said.
The state government is also waiting for clearance for Edlapur and Godhna thermal power plants for which the central government has to make coal allotment, she added. Recently, daily power consumption has reached 160 MU from 130 MU an year before in the state.
“We are making efforts to tie-up short term and medium term sources of power. However, it is necessary to ensure energy security of the state by increasing capacity in the coming years,” she said.
Karnataka has drawn up an ambitious plan to increase its power capacity to 10 000 MW in the next three to four years through both public and private sector ventures. Presently, the state run Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd has a power generation capacity of 5980 MW and meets more than half of the demand of the state.
Apart from the Bellary thermal units, the state agency is also developing a power complex of generating 720 MW in Raichur.