Yermarus Thermal Power Station achieves highest monthly generation

The Yermarus Thermal Power Station (YTPS) in Raichur district achieved its highest ever electricity generation in January with a production of 718.619 Million Units (MU) from its two units, which have a generating capacity of 800 Mega Watts (MW) each.

Between January 1 and 31, this quantum of power was generated, surpassing the previous record of 718.085 MU which was generated in December 2021.

“There were certain technical issues which were plaguing the plant and had not allowed full generation. But in the last year, we worked with Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) to resolve the issues and fine-tune the machines which led to more generation,” Gaurav Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy Department and managing director of Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), told The Hindu

In 2024, all of KPCL’s thermal power generators produced a record average of 3,200 MW of power in the summer season.

In a meeting held in the first week of January, Energy Minister K. J. George directed officials to ensure that minor technical issues of all of KPCL’s thermal plants were addressed and plants were fully ready for maximum generation by February 2025 to cater to the summer demand.

Mr. Gupta said that efforts will be made to increase the generation at YTPS like in all the other stations. “We are constantly in the endeavour of increasing the generation at all the plants,” he said.

Due to weather conditions, the power consumption in both Karnataka and across the country went up in January. A total of 13,749 crore units were consumed across the country according to figures provided by the Central government, with a 2.7% increase when compared to the consumption of 13,394 crore units in January 2024.

Saying that the generation at YTPS will help with managing summer demand, Mr. Gupta said, “We are already seeing a 10% growth in electricity demand. Our planning involves increasing generation and addressing the gaps that are present with power swapping and other arrangements to manage power supply.”