Bengaluru, 16 August (H.S): Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) is stepping up thermal power generation as inadequate rainfall and a sharp increase in electricity consumption strain the State’s energy supply.

Karnataka’s daily power demand is currently ranging between 310 million units (MU) and 350 MU, compared with around 200 MU in August 2025. Officials said the available hydropower resources alone would not be sufficient to meet the growing requirement.

KPCL is therefore working to raise thermal generation to nearly 100 MU a day. The corporation has set a target of producing 29,500 MU of thermal power during the current year.

However, maintenance work at three generating units, rainwater accumulation in coal mines and difficulties in transporting wet coal from other States have affected production.

The Raichur Thermal Power Station, Yermarus Thermal Power Station and Ballari Thermal Power Station have a combined installed capacity of 5,020 MW. Around 3,910 MW is presently available for generation, with three units shut for maintenance.

An 800-MW unit at Yermarus is expected to resume operations on August 24 following annual maintenance. A 210-MW unit at Raichur is scheduled to restart on August 31. Their restoration is expected to raise the available thermal capacity to approximately 4,810 MW by the end of August.

KPCL generated 15,509 MU of hydropower and 21,693 MU of thermal power last year. This year, it produced 3,480 MU of hydropower up to July-end.

Water currently stored in reservoirs has the potential to generate another 4,585 MU, taking the total hydropower availability to about 8,065 MU. Favourable rainfall during August and September could increase it to nearly 10,000 MU.

Officials said rains had also disrupted coal mining, dispatch, loading and unloading operations. Waterlogging in mines and wet coal during transportation remain major challenges as KPCL attempts to maintain reliable and uninterrupted electricity supply across Karnataka.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman