Struggling to tackle the acute power crisis in the state, Shobha Karandjale, the new energy minister, is planning to encourage energy conservation as purchasing electricity is proving to be a costly affair.

The government spends an average of Rs 350 crore a month to purchase power from private producers to meet the power crisis.

Karandlaje said by replacing lighting lamps in homes and industry and government offices with compact fluorescent lamp (CFL) and light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, the state can save 400 megawatt of power every day.

“This will not only save electricity but also protect environment,” said the energy minister.

Karandlaje said that the state government would impose a ban on the use of incandescent bulbs from January 1, 2011.

Families belonging to the Below Poverty Line will be provided LED and CFL bulbs at subsidized rates.“The market rate for each CFL bulb is Rs90. We will give it at just Rs15. Each BPL family will get four CFL bulbs at subsidised rates,” she said.

In addition, the government also plans to do away with incandescent bulbs in all government offices.The Karnataka government has already invited tenders to drive the Centre’s Bachchat scheme on energy saving, said Karandlaje. “We have already floated tenders for Bangalore Rural and Kolar districts. I have sought Rs100 crore from the chief minister for this campaign. He has almost agreed to it,” said Karandlaje.

The state government will start a power saving programme — Belaku — from October 4. Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa will launch the campaign at a slum in Gulbarga.

Karandlaje said that the state produces 99 million units of power, while the daily demand is 125 million units.

“We are purchasing over 1000 mw every day at a cost of Rs4 per unit. To overcome this power crisis, conservation of energy is the only way. The transmission and distribution loss is about 21%. I have directed the officials to cut it down by 2% by March 2011,” said Karandlaje.

“We are trying our best to increase the power production. The eighth unit of Raichur Thermal Power plant will start production in November. It will add 150 mw to 200 mw. In addition, the Padubidri Nagarjuna power unit is likely to supply 260 mw by December end. Bellary thermal unit will start functioning from next March. By March next year, we will produce an additional 1000 mw of power. We are making optimum use of the hydel plants. We will reserve our hydel source for the summer.,” said the energy minister.

Naindia.com