Karnataka to Buy Private Cogeneration Power to Prevent Summer Blackouts

The Karnataka government has decided to procure electricity from private cogeneration plants and rapidly scale up alternative energy sources to address a major deficit in hydropower generation. Following a high-level review meeting of the Energy Department in Bengaluru on Thursday, Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta directed officials to implement these immediate measures to prevent grid paralysis and ensure uninterrupted power supply ahead of the peak summer months.

The state’s hydropower framework has faced severe challenges due to reduced water inflows into major reservoirs. This water shortage is a direct result of the ongoing El Niño weather phenomenon, which has caused below-normal rainfall across key river basins in the region.

According to Gupta, the deficient monsoon rainfall could paralyse the state's hydropower systems if left unaddressed. He noted that hydropower generation is tracking significantly lower this season. To offset this shortfall, Gupta stated that thermal power stations must be operated at maximum efficiency to bridge the baseload gap.

To further manage the crisis, the government has directed all state electricity supply companies to maximise the purchase and utilisation of local solar and wind power. Officials were also instructed to take immediate steps to lock in power procurement agreements with private cogeneration plants.

The drop in hydropower generation is starkly illustrated by the Sharavathi Hydroelectric Project. Under optimal water conditions, the project has an installed capacity of 1,035 MW. However, due to low reservoir levels, it was recently generating a meagre 100 MW. In contrast, Karnataka’s three major thermal generation plants, located in Raichur and Ballari, combine to produce approximately 5,000 MW daily.

The current grid intervention mirrors strategies deployed during the severe monsoon deficit of 2023. During that crisis, the Karnataka government was forced to enter into emergency power-banking and purchase agreements with northern states, including Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. During that period, the state had to procure roughly 1,000 MW of power from private producers to avert blackouts during high-demand months.