Latest news with #K.J.George
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
100 new power sub-stations proposed in State: George
In a move to improve the efficiency of the State's power distribution network, Karnataka is set to establish 100 new sub-stations. The ambitious project is expected to be completed within the designated timeline, according to Energy Minister K.J. George. After a progress review meeting with the district's public representatives here on Wednesday, the Minster told reporters that the project had been conceptualised to develop essential infrastructure aimed at delivering reliable and high-quality power supply. In Mysuru district alone, 44 power transmission substations were expected to be commissioned within two years, ensuring quality power supply to farmers and the public. Although there was currently no power shortage, lack of basic infrastructure was causing supply issues. To resolve this, the number of power transmission substations was being increased, Mr. George said. All steps were being taken to provide reliable electricity supply to farmers' pumpsets. Of the 4 lakh illegal pumpsets in the State, 2.5 lakh had been regularised. For pumpsets located within 500 metres of feeders, the department would provide transformers. For pumpsets located beyond 500 metres, solar pump sets would be provided under the Kusum-B scheme, the Minister said. Solar power Mr. George said the government had set a target of generating 2,400 megawatts of solar power through feeder solarisation of agricultural pumpsets under the Kusum-C scheme. On June 11, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah would inaugurate the solar power plant established under the Kusum scheme at Thondebhavi in Gauribidanur. The Energy Minister said that linking Aadhaar with the RR numbers of agricultural pumpsets had sparked rumours about discontinuing free electricity, and clarified that the process aimed at verifying the amount of electricity supplied to farmers and the number of existing connections. He assured that free electricity would continue for agricultural pumpsets up to 10 HP and that farmers would receive a proper seven-hour electricity supply. The Minister said after the Chief Minister recently visited the haadis (tribal hamlets), steps had been taken to supply electricity to them, and required infrastructure was being developed. Steps had been made to supply electricity to more than 600 haadi households, he said. During the meeting, MLA Tanveer Sait said Mysuru was a rapidly growing city, and CESC should prioritise resource mobilisation. Under the Ganga Kalyana scheme, electricity connection should be provided immediately after borewells were drilled. In drinking water supply schemes, due to overload in pump houses, frequent power trips was occurring, he said. MLA Srivatsa sought greater attention to the electricity supply problems affecting drinking water distribution. In response, Mr. George said steps will be taken to ensure proper electricity supply not just in Mysuru city, but across the district. Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Gaurav Gupta said steps had been taken to provide electricity during the daytime in forest fringe areas. Measures had been taken to ensure that there were no issues in regions where there was human-wildlife conflict. MLAs G.T. Devegowda, K. Harish Gowda, D. Ravishankar, MLCs K. Vivekananda, Dr. D. Thimmaiah, KPCL Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Pandey, Deputy Commissioner Lakshmikant Reddy, Zilla Panchayat CEO Yukesh Kumar, CESC Managing Director K.M. Munigopal Raju, Guarantee Implementation Committee Vice President Dr. Pushpa Amarnath, and others were present.
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Gruha Jyothi scheme has seen 99% success in Mysuru district: George
Energy Minister K.J. George on Wednesday said Mysuru district had achieved a 99% success rate in the implementation of the Gruha Jyothi scheme, which provides free electricity to eligible households. Speaking to the mediapersons after a departmental progress review meeting, the Minister said the State government allocates ₹9,000 crore annually to Escoms under the guarantee scheme of supplying free power to the beneficiaries. Mr. George promised that in the event of a transformer failure, restoration will be completed within 24 hours in urban areas and within 48 hours in rural areas. During the meeting, K.R. Nagar MLA, D. Ravishankar, raised concerns about the conduct of CESC staff and linemen, alleging that they were unresponsive and discourteous towards farmers. Responding to the complaint, the Minister stated that strict action would be taken against any official or lineman found misbehaving with farmers. All staff must handle power-related grievances with courtesy and responsibility, he instructed. CESC managing director K.M. Munigopal Raju informed that the underground cabling work in Mysuru city is progressing well and will be completed in the next two years. Despite damage caused by recent heavy rains, emergency measures have been initiated to restore power supply and maintain infrastructure. He said power projects across the CESC jurisdiction are being implemented efficiently and on schedule.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Automotive
- The Hindu
Solar-integrated, second-life battery powered EV charging station inaugurated in Bengaluru
What is being termed as the first-of-its-kind solar-integrated EV charging station, powered by second-life batteries, in India, was inaugurated near Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on June 2. Energy Minister K. J. George, who inaugurated the facility, said that this is the first EV station in India to be powered by second-life batteries. 'This large-scale EV charging hub, developed through a partnership between Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), can charge 23 vehicles simultaneously. At this station, solar energy is stored in old car batteries. Solar power generated during the day is stored using this battery system, and supplied to electric vehicles round-the-clock,' he explained. The hub includes a 45 kilowatt (KW) solar power system and 100 KWH second-life battery storage capacity. It has 18 fast-charging points and five slow-charging ones. 'This is the first charging station in the country to provide 24/7 EV charging facilities,' said N. Shivashankar, Managing Director, Bescom. The Energy Minister said that the government is fully committed to support the growing demand for EVs in Karnataka, and expanding charging stations and related infrastructure. 'Karnataka's EV policy further strengthens this commitment. The newly-inaugurated EV charging station will greatly benefit cab drivers and the general public using electric vehicles,' he said. The charging station, which was awaiting inauguration for almost a year now, has been operational for the last few months.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
KPTCL unveils GIS-based app to monitor underground cable works in real-time
To enhance transparency and streamline operations, the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) has rolled out a new digital tool, a Geographic Information System (GIS)-enabled Map View application to monitor real-time underground cable projects. The initiative was officially launched by Energy Minister K.J. George on Saturday. According to officials, it is designed primarily for internal use, the Map View application showcases live updates of ongoing underground cable laying activities across Karnataka. 'By making this information accessible, the tool allows the public to stay aware of infrastructure work in their areas and adjust their routines to avoid traffic-related inconveniences. This move is aimed at fostering public involvement and reducing disruptions,' a statement by KPTCL stated. 'This digital platform, powered by advanced GIS technology, marks a major step forward in improving transparency, operational efficiency, and citizen engagement,' said Mr. George. 'By adopting innovative tools like this, we are not only boosting technical performance but also ensuring that the public is well-informed and safeguarded,' he added.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
KREDL floats tender for BESS in Pavagada Solar Park
The Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Limited (KREDL) is planning to set up a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of 250 megawatt (MW)/1100 MwH capacity along with a solar photovoltaic project of 250 MW capacity in Ryapte in Tumakuru district in the vicinity of Pavagada Solar Park. This is the first BESS being set up in the solar park spread over 13,000 acres. It is being set up to supply peak power and optimise grid utilisation. This new project will come up in 1,000 acres in Annadanapura and Reddivarahalli villages in Tumakuru. KREDL, which has called for the tender, will provide the land on lease to the developer for setting up the plant. The entire project will be developed under Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding on Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis. 'The BESS is being set up as we want to utilise the energy generated during solar hours in non-solar hours and thereby optimise grid utilisation,' said Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department. He further said that BESS, which is fairly a new concept, is being set up in different capacities at different projects. The developer will also need to set up a transmission network with the primary objective of supplying Solar and BESS power to electricity supply companies (escoms). The projects need to be designed for interconnection with the Karnataka Solar Power Development Corporation Limited (KSPDCL) 220 kV lines. 'The BESS needs to be utilised for storing the energy generation from Solar PV during the grid constraint period, which may occur anytime during the solar generation hours, and it is mostly expected between the time blocks of 8:00 am and 4:00 pm on a daily basis. Further, the grid constraint period would differ on a month-to-month basis or seasonally (not necessarily between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on daily basis),' the tender document specifies. The energy generated from the solar project which would not be evacuated from the plant on account of grid constraint (partial or full) shall be stored into the BESS. During partial evacuation of energy, it shall be injected into both the grid and the BESS parallely. In a year, at least 80% of gross generation of the solar plant should be stored in the BESS. Earlier this year, Energy Minister K.J. George had said that while work is on to increase the generation capacity of the Pavagada Solar Park by another 2,000 MW, BESS of around 2,000 MW also will be set up for proper utilisation of solar power.
