ENVIS Centre: Karnataka
State of Environment and Related Issues

Energy

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Energy is a pre-requisite for economic growth. Access to energy multiplies the ability of an economy to scale up development. The growth of the modern industrial age was fuelled by abundant supplies of energy from fossil sources. Today however, the energy sector is in a process of transformation. On one hand there is a steadily rising demand, led especially by developing economies. This trend is well reflected in Karnataka’s growing demand. On the other hand the impact of energy consumption on the environment and particularly on the climate is well known. Conscious efforts are being made to conserve energy. In Karnataka, energy conservation is still at an infancy stage even though the supply deficit is adding to the opportunity therein. The situation is compounded by the fact that renewable energy, which offers clean and dependable alternatives, is nowhere near large-scale deployment although significant inroads have been made with smaller projects. For Karnataka energy is a challenge, a fact that is unlikely to change in the near future.

Institutional capacity of the state

Adequate action on energy efficiency, renewable energy development, energy access and related energy issues can be taken only if technology, finance, managerial know-how and administrative support are available. Major agencies in the state are found to have broadly the requisite capacities. However, human resource development is an important area in which further investment is needed. KREDL is in the process of expanding its abilities in energy audit, an effort that may require further support from both the state and the private sector. Also the coordination between institutions need to be strengthened to align complementary resources available.

Major agencies in the state into Power Sector

1.   Department of Energy

2.   Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL)

3.   Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL)

4.   Department of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj

5.   Public Works Department (PWD)

The Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) was established as a regulatory authority of the State’s power sector. Among other functions of the KERC, it regulates the tariff for supply of power to different categories of consumers. Four Electricity Supply Companies (ESCOMs), Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd. (BESCOM), Mangalore Electricity Supply Company Ltd. (MESCOM), Hubli Electricity Supply Company Ltd. (HESCOM), and Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Ltd. (GESCOM) were established during 2002 and another ESCOM, Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Ltd. (CESC) was established in 2005. These five distribution companies are engaged in retail supply of electricity to the end consumers.

Power Generation

 The main sources of power supply in Karnataka are:

a. Generating Stations of KPCL

b. Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) (Conventional and Non-conventional)

c. States share from Central Generating Stations

d. Procurement from other States through bilateral trade, purchase and energy exchanges

e. Barter arrangement (power banking)

During FY 2020-21, it has been targeted to commission 1100MW from RE Sources by private participation as detailed below:

• Karnataka State is at number 1 position in Renewable Energy Sector in the Country.
• Developed2050MW solar park at Pavagada taluk, Tumakuru district which is the largest solar park in the country,650 MW has been commissioned during the financial year 2019-20

 
 Source Wise Installed Capacity (As on 30.11.2021) 

 Sector Wise Electricty Consumption 

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