Possibly a first… Bescom actually has excess power

BENGALURU: While the country is reeling under shortages of varying degrees, the Bangalore Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (Bescom) actually has the opposite problem: They have excess power, lower demand. Despite directions issued by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, who also holds the energy portfolio, that there should be no power cuts, different parts of the city have experienced power outages. “Normally at this time, peak demand would be around 5,500 MW, but there is a 20 per cent drop in demand (around 4600 MW).

Power cuts are not being scheduled as there is sufficient power, except to carry out maintenance work. However, there are some unscheduled power cuts due to excessive load or line snapping,” Bescom Managing Director M D Rajesh Gowda told The New Sunday Express. To ensure that repairs are carried out in time Bescom officials are forced to make do with the available staff.