Karnataka Needs No Immediate Power Cuts Despite 1,000 MW Shortage: Minister

Karnataka does not need immediate power cuts despite a shortage of about 1,000 MW, Energy and Tourism Minister K.J. George said while briefing reporters in Mysuru on Sunday.

Power situation being managed through outside procurement

Mr. George said the State was not facing a load-shedding situation at present and that the Energy Department had been managing electricity supply for the past six to eight months by procuring additional power from other States.

“As of now, there is no need for load-shedding,” he said.

He said any decision on load-shedding would depend on whether electricity demand rises further in the coming days.

“If the demand goes up further in the coming days, the issue will be discussed with the Chief Minister and in the Cabinet, and a decision will be taken on whether to go for load-shedding,” he said.

Mr. George said Karnataka was procuring additional power from States such as Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

He also said several States were facing a power shortage owing to the poor monsoon, limiting the quantity available to Karnataka when it seeks supply from outside.

“If we seek 500 MW, we are getting only 50 or 100 MW. Our thermal plant at Raichur is undergoing repairs,” he said.

Renewable generation has also declined

The Minister said cloudy weather and reduced wind had brought down power generation from renewable energy sources.

“Owing to cloudy weather and reduced wind, power generation from renewable energy sources has also declined. Nevertheless, we are managing the situation,” he said.

Mr. George said electricity demand was increasing and acknowledged that there had been an issue with power supply for two days.

He said irrigation pump sets, or IP sets, had received six hours of power instead of the scheduled seven hours.

He added that the full seven-hour supply would soon be restored.

The Minister’s remarks placed the present shortage, outside procurement, limits on inter-State availability, repairs at the Raichur thermal plant, and lower renewable generation within the same explanation of why the electricity situation was under pressure but still being managed.

‘Siddaramaiah will speak when he wants to’

Asked about former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah maintaining a low profile after demitting office, Mr. George said the former Chief Minister would speak whenever he wanted to.

He denied speculation that Mr. Siddaramaiah had distanced himself from his close confidants.

“I am close to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and was close to the former Chief Ministers, including Mr. Siddaramaiah, Bangarappa, Veerendra Patil. and Gundu Rao. But this question should be asked to Mr. Siddaramaiah and not me,” he said.

Mr. George said leaders H.C. Mahadevappa and Satish Jarkiholi were part of the Congress family and maintained cordial relations with everyone.

“We met at the CLP meeting,” he added.

Asked about the disappearance of an engineer, Mr. George said the issue should be raised with the department concerned or Minister.

When reporters persisted, he expressed displeasure and reiterated that the matter should be taken up with the authorities concerned.

Published - September 28, 2026 12:15 am IST.

Source: The Hindu