In view of the dire energy situation in the state, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) on Wednesday decided to implement power cuts in industries in its jurisdiction from Friday.
It also sent out letters on Wednesday evening to each industry under its jurisdiction to notify the cuts.
There will be no power supply to industries between 6 pm and 9 pm and in a worst-case scenario, additional power cuts will be introduced from 6 am to 9 am. This was confirmed on Wednesday by BESCOM MD P Manivannan. “For industries which run on continuous power, we will restrict supply to 50 pc of their regular consumption,” he said.
“We are giving them a 48-hour notice to help them prepare for power cuts. However, there may be temporary power cuts in the next two days as BESCOM will do a technical run of the procedure,” Manivannan added.
Hydel plants operated by Karnataka Power Corporation Limited managed to generate only 9.01 million units on Tuesday compared to 37.57 million units last year. Officials feel generation will drop further. “The only way out is immediate power purchase,” said an official.
According to sources, domestic consumers in Bangalore city will not be hit. However, small towns and villages in BESCOM areas will have three-hour cuts.
“For towns and villages, there will be a three-hour cut between 9 am and noon or 3 pm and 6 pm,” an official said. “Farmers are assured six-hour supply except between 6 pm and 12 am. They will not be included in the load shedding,” he said.
BESCOM is currently facing an minimum shortage of 150 MW and a maximum of 500-600 MW per day.
Earlier, industry bodies had predicted losses from load-shedding. According to J Crasta, co-chairman, ASSOCHAM’s Southern Regional Council, losses will be close to Rs 300 crore a day. Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry has sought a review after 15 days. “Schedules will be made area wise and prior information will be given. But losses will be huge,” said K Shiva Shanmugam, president FKCCI.
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