KERC hints at daytime, solar power, for pumpsets this summer

Chairman of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) Shankaralinge Gowda said that the regulatory body was seriously considering ordering state utilities (Escoms) to supply power to farmers of the state during the daytime, this summer.

Gowda said that KERC had estimated a generation of 3000 MW of solar power this summer by generating stations in the state. Hence it is possible to use it to supply power to farmers' pumpsets during the daytime.

"We can optimise usage of power and water, if we supply power to agricultural pumpsets during the day time. Each Escom will fix its own price per unit used for agriculture. The rise in the price per unit will not be uniform," he hinted.

"Bescom has appealed for a 80 paise per unit hike; while Gescom has asked for 162 paise per unit rise. The price per unit will finally fixed after considering the best interests of both supplier and consumer. Industrial consumers (HT category) have appealed that the pricing slabs for them must be such that the price per unit decreases with the increase in consumption," he added.