A file photo of Ballari Thermal Power Station (BTPS)
Ballari : Ballari Thermal Power Station (BTPS), Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) and Yaramaras Thermal Power Station (YTPS) are operating at summer-level generation despite the monsoon, with average daily electricity demand in Sept up nearly 42% from a year ago amid weak rainfall, unseasonal heat and increased irrigation pumping. Rising temperatures have increased power demand, while farmers across more than 200 drought-hit taluks are running high-power irrigation pump sets round the clock to save drying crops. The state relies heavily on hydroelectricity, but continuous weak monsoons since June, culminating in an 81% rainfall deficit this monsoon season, have left major catchments dry.
Normally, electricity demand falls during the monsoon, allowing thermal power stations to ease generation after summer. This year, however, thermal plants continue to operate at levels typically seen during the peak summer months. Three months into the monsoon, many districts continue to face a severe rainfall shortage. Reservoir storage levels have plummeted, severely limiting the state’s ability to generate cheaper hydropower.