Karnataka, which is already a hub of renewable energy in the country, is now looking to add to the total installed capacity over the coming years to meet the increasing power demand. This is apart from reducing dependence on traditional power (thermal and hydro).
According to sources in the Energy Department, the unique energy mix has insured the State in the backdrop of the coal shortage. Several other States in the country that rely primarily on power from thermal sources are struggling to meet the demand, given the severe shortage of coal. They have also announced load shedding across the spectrum of consumers, said sources.
In Karnataka, 51% of the power comes from renewable energy sources, 34% from thermal, 12% from hydro and 3% from nuclear. Even the peak demand in summer, which was 14,818 MW (March 18, 2022) and highest consumption of 285 million units (March 17, 2022), was managed with minimal reliance on thermal power, they said.
