Karnataka is experiencing a surge in power demand, with daily consumption ranging between 310 and 350 million units (MU) compared to around 200 MU in August 2025. To meet this growing demand, the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) is working to increase thermal power generation to around 100 MU per day.
Hydropower alone is insufficient to meet the state’s total electricity demand due to inadequate rainfall. KPCL officials stated that the combined installed capacity of the Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), Yermarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS), and Ballari Thermal Power Station (BTPS) is 5,020 MW, with approximately 3,910 MW of generation capacity available. However, three units are currently under maintenance, posing a challenge to meeting the state’s power needs.
To address this challenge, KPCL has set a target of generating 29,500 MU of thermal power this year. An 800 MW unit at YTPS is expected to resume generation on August 24 after annual maintenance, and a 210 MW unit at RTPS is expected to resume generation on August 31. With the restoration of these units, the available generation capacity is expected to increase to approximately 4,810 MW by the end of August.
Coal transportation has become a challenge due to recent rains, which have made handling and transportation of coal from outside Karnataka difficult. However, KPCL is taking steps to increase coal stocks to 15-18 days, with Coal India Limited agreeing to supply coal as per the state’s requirements. The Railways has also agreed to allocate the required number of empty rakes for transporting coal from the mines to KPCL’s thermal power stations.
Currently, the thermal power stations have sufficient coal stock for approximately 15 days, with around 6.5 lakh metric tonnes of coal available. The daily coal requirement across various thermal power stations is approximately 44,000 metric tonnes, while 50,000 metric tonnes of coal are being received daily. KPCL is also planning to increase coal production from Baranj Captive Coal Mine in Nagpur, Maharashtra, to further strengthen fuel security and ensure a reliable coal supply.
Last year, KPCL generated 15,509 MU of hydropower and 21,693 MU of thermal power. This year, up to the end of July, KPCL has generated 3,480 MU of hydropower, with the current equivalent energy taking the total available hydropower potential to approximately 8,065 MU. If the state receives good rainfall during August and September, the available equivalent energy could increase to around 10,000 MU.
