Bengaluru’s power receiving capacity set to get a major boost by December 2017

Because of KPTCL’s major transmission projects within and outside the city, Bengaluru's power receiving capacity is all set to go threefold. The start-up city would be able to withdraw 7500 MW as opposed to the present 2500 MW, by December next year.

To upgrade the power infrastructure of the city, KPTCL is spending about Rs 1720 crore, while targeting paying consumers like software firms, manufacturing industries, retail malls, and start-ups etc.

Bengaluru takes up 40% of Karnataka's power consumption, and it had always been an issue for the government to transport bulk power into the city from outside sources. This is why, KPTCL is laying new lines from the thermal power stations in north Karnataka, as well as building two substations of 400 KV and six substations of 210 KV in the City.

The 400 kV stations will be built at Electronic City and Devanahalli, while the six 200 kV stations will be built at Koramangala, Kumbalagodu, Manyata Tech Park, Brindavan Alloys, ITI area, and at KIADB industrial area at Devanahalli.

"We have already issued a few tenders, and some more are in the pipeline," KPTCL managing director Jawaid Akhtar told ET. "The action plan we are implementing will increase the availability of power in Bengaluru and fuel industrial development," he said.

Akhtar added that KPTCL will be opting for the modern gas-insulated stations (GIS) wherever it has serious space issues in the city.

"Our projects are going to be win-win for all: the consumers will greliable power supply while KPTCL and Bescom will get additional revenues from increase in the sale of electricity," said S.Sumanth, Director (Transmission) at KPTCL.

The fresh capacity will be coming with the expansion of Bellary thermal power station, the new plants being planned at Kudgi and Yaramaras, as well as installation of several windmills in the future.

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