SDCCI to buy power from Andhra Pradesh traders

SHIVAMOGGA: In order to overcome loss of revenue, production and labour charges in industries due to load shedding, Shivamogga District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SDCCI) has decided to purchase power from traders of Andhra Pradesh.

If talks are fruitful then Mescom would supply required power to around 190 industries of Shivamogga through 14 feeder stations.

According to SDCCI, Shivamogga city is in need of 160 MW of power per day. But at present, only 83 to 85 MW of power is being supplied. So, there is a deficiency of more than 50 pc of power per day.

The industrial areas are witnessing load shedding for eight hours a day.

Hence, there is a production loss of 35 per cent.

The industries fear that the load-shedding hours might increase in the coming months as the hydel power generation is severely hit this year due to deficient rainfall. To put an end to the saga of power crisis, SDCCI has taken this initiative to purchase five million units of power from private players per month to run the show.

Sources in the SDCCI said, “Mescom has to submit a proposal to Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) seeking permission for purchase of power from the government. Finally, Mescom has to supply power purchased from private power firms through the industrial feeder stations. Industries will have to pay the additional price for the power purchased from the traders.”