Energy Utilisation in Karnataka: Part-I An Overview

Energy Consumption Patterns :
Electricity Consumption :

Electricity Consumption:

Electricity use in Karnataka dates back to 1900 when the first hydroelectric project in the State was built in Shivasamudram. Some of the major projects are Sharavathi Valley Project, Kalinadi Project, MGHE, etc. Currently power generation is from hydroelectric plants only. The first thermal plant is under construction at Raichur. Tables 3 and 4 give details regarding electricity generation and consumption. Important aspects are;

i) More than 70% of energy goes to industrial sector; next to the industrial users come All Electrical Homes (average energy consumption per house of AEH users is 2234 units per year - 186 units per month);

ii) Connected load to installed capacity ratio is 2.19;

iii) Number of units generated/kw of power is 4118 and load factor is 0.47;

iv) Whereas industries lead in energy consumption, pumpsets for irrigation have a connected load of 1193 MW (29%); consumption/installation is 1310 units/year - indicating an average use of about 300-400 hours/year of each pumpset - i.e. one hour/day;

v) Similarly AEH also has a large connected load.

Another interesting aspect is the difference between projected values for 1982-83 and actual values as shown in Table 3. This shows that energy shortage is increasing year by year and it is essential to solve this problem in an innovative manner. So far we have seen the consumption pattern of recorded forms of energy at macro level. Let us look at rural and urban domestic energy consumption as revealed by two case studies. Table 4 gives Electrical energy consumption (categorywise) 1982 - 83