Tuppadahalli windfarm, Chitradurga district

Solar Panel (Source: KREDL)

CHAPTER 9

ENERGY

CONTENTS

Introduction

Electricity

Installed capacity

Performance of Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS)

Performance of Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS)

Performance of Major Hydro Stations

Performance of Minor Hydel Stations (100 MW and above)

Station-wise generation in Million Units

Electricity supply

Transmission

Distribution

Petroleum products

Nuclear Power

Renewable Energy

Domestic Energy

Environmental concerns

Recommendations for Policy Makers

TABLES

Table-1: Electric Power Generation (in MU) by KPCL

Table-2: Progress in Installed Capacity and Electricity Generation

Table-3: Performance of Raichur Thermal Power Plant

Table-4: Performance of Bellary Thermal Power Plant

Table-5: Major and Minor Hydroelectric projects

Table-6: Performance of Major Hydel Power Stations

Table-7: Performance of Minor Hydel Power Stations

Table-8: Station-wise power generation (MU)

Table-9: Summary of the State Transmission system as on 31.03.2016

Table-10: Transmission losses of KPTCL from FY 11- FY 16

Table-11: Distribution of electric power by various electricity supply companies

Table-12: KERC approved distribution losses for ESCOMs for the year FY16

Table-13: Trend of distribution losses in ESCOMS for the period between FY11 to FY16

Table-14: The overall transmission and distribution losses for the State for the period from

2011-12 to 2016-17

Table-15: Consumption of Diesel in Transport Sector in major states- Retail Sales

Table-16: State-wise consumption of Diesel in Non-Transport Sector - Retail Sales

Table-17: Date of commissioning of Nuclear power in Kaiga, Uttar Kannada district, Karnataka

Table-18: Gross power generation from Kaiga Power Plant

Table-19: Potential, commissioned and envisaged capacity addition of green power as of 2016

Table-20: Renewable Energy Progress Report up to July, 2017

Table-21: Non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) and Solar RPO for each ESCOM

in the state

Table-22: Environmental Impacts of some Energy Supply and Storage Technologies

Table-23: Reservoir Area of Major dams in Karnataka

FIGURES

Fig.1: Satellite image of Raichur Thermal power plant

Fig. 2: Satellite image of Sharavati Power Generation Plant

Fig. 3: Satellite image of Kalinadi Nagjari Hydroelectric power plant

Fig. 4: Satellite image of Varahi power plant

Fig. 5: One of the wind power project sites in Karnataka

Fig. 6: Non-operational electrical components stored before disposal

Fig. 7: Transformers observed in one of the storage yards

ENERGY

Introduction

9.1. Urban ecosystem is characterized by import of energy and material from outside the

urban boundary. Increase in transportation and boost in rural activity have increased

anthropogenic use of energy outside urban boundary also. Therefore, import of energy into the

urban areas would have its impact both within and outside urban boundary. This chapter deals

with anthropogenic usage of energy and its environmental impact.

9.2. India has announced its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for decreasing its

energy intensity by 30-35% compared to 2005 levels, by the year 2030. It also aims to source

approximately 40% of its electric power from non-fossil sources by 2030. These voluntary goals

have implications for the states. As a leading industrialized state with high economic growth rate,

Karnataka can contribute significantly to these goals, given its proactive efforts in

comprehensive environmental protection,

9.3. Rural development inclusive of sustainable economic growth is a high priority goal for

Karnataka, although it comes with several challenges while planning for concomitant energy

growth. Karnataka’s economic growth over the last several years has also resulted in a

corresponding rise in energy demand. The installed capacity of energy in the state has been

growing both in the conventional and in the renewable energy sectors. Several energy

conservation/efficiency programs as well as demand-side management measures have been

introduced in order to decrease the energy intensity. Adopting clean energy further helps in

reducing the environmental burden.

9.4 The Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) manages power generation in the

public sector while the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) manages

the transmission of power. As per the Electricity Act of 2003, KPTCL is not empowered to trade

in electricity. The Distribution Companies (DISCOMS) procure power from public and private

sector power generators and distribute it to the consumers.

9.5. Having recognized the crucial role of power in achieving economic progress, Karnataka

pioneered power sector reforms quite early. With the Karnataka Electricity Reforms Act (1999)

and the setting up of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC), the institutional

setup for undertaking reforms in the sector was further strengthened.

9.6. KERC, as a regulatory authority of the state’s power sector, regulates the tariff for supply

of power to different categories of consumers. Five electricity supply companies (ESCOMs) -

Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company Ltd. (BESCOM), Mangalore Electricity Supply

Company Ltd. (MESCOM), Hubli Electricity Supply Company Ltd. (HESCOM), Gulbarga

Electricity Supply Company Ltd. (GESCOM) and Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply

Corporation Ltd. (CESC) - along with the Hukkeri Rural Electric Co-operative Society (HRECS)

were established and tasked with retail supply of electricity to consumers.

9.7. A Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), namely, the Power Company of Karnataka Limited

(PCKL) supplements the efforts of KPCL in capacity addition by way of setting up of new power

projects and procurement through bidding process in accordance with guidelines issued by the

Ministry of Power, Government of India.

9.8. Energy is defined as the capacity of a physical system to perform work. Energy exists

in several forms such as heat, light, chemical energy, mechanical energy, besides electrical

energy. Power is the work done in a unit of time. Electric power is the rate, per unit time, at

which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit.

9.9. Energy trapped from the sun by plants would be passed on to next level in food chain

within natural ecosystem. It is also converted to power and used by anthropogenic activity.

9.10. This chapter compiles information on anthropogenic energy, power and its

impact/dependence on the environment to fulfill the overall ambition of the state towards

maintaining a healthy environment.

9.11. The sources of energy are:

1. Coal

2. Chemical energy (battery)

3. Biomass

4. Petroleum products

5. Combustion of any other material including waste

6. Wind

7. Solar energy

8. Atomic (or nuclear) energy (Fission of atoms of radioactive substances)

Electricity

9.12. Electric power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric

circuit. Electric power is produced by electric generators, and other sources such

as electric batteries. Karnataka’s main sources of power supply are:

1. KPCL generating stations;

2. Independent Power Producers (IPP’s);

3. State’s share from Central Generating Stations;

4. Procurement from other states through bilateral trade, purchase and energy exchange and

Barter arrangement (power banking); and

5. Solar and Renewable Energy.

9.13. Electric Power Generation (in million units or MU) by KPCL is given in Table-1. As per

the Annual Report of KPCL for 2015-16, power generation in KPCL stations was 24,977 MUs in

2015-16 as compared to 29,784 MUs in 2014-15. Of the total power generated in 2015-16,

thermal power contributed 17,574 MUs, followed by hydro power (7,364 MUs), solar power

(30.42 MUs) and wind power (8.12 MUs). Similar trends were observed in 2014-15, thermal

power being the highest contributor followed by hydro, solar and wind powers.

Table-1: Electric Power Generation (in MU) by KPCL

Generation 2015-16 2014-15

Thermal 17,574.62 16,786.37

Hydro 7,364.40 12,972.28

Wind 8.12 9.59

Solar 30.42 16.46

Total 24,977.01 29,784.70

(Source: KPCL Annual Report 2015-16)

Installed capacity

9.14. Karnataka has been pursuing innovative approaches towards augmenting capacity and

supply of electricity throughout the state. The Karnataka Renewable Energy Development

Limited (KREDL) is formulating and implementing policies to promote the development of solar

and other forms of renewable energy within the state as a state nodal agency.

9.15. The progress made by the state, in terms of Installed Capacity and Electricity Generation,

is given in Table-2. The total installed generation capacity up to December, 2015 was 15,720.43

MW out of which, the public sector share was 9,201.35 MW (including Central Generating

Station allocation) and the private sector share was 6,519.08 MW. In the private sector, the share

of renewable energy capacity (excluding the share of IPP Thermal and Mini-Hydro) is 68.77%.

As of December 2015, the share of Hydro-power in the total installed capacity was 23.33%. This

share increases to 28.64% if mini-hydro is also included, as seen in Figure 9.2. Wind power was

the third highest contributor to total installed capacity, at 2,876.54 MW, next to hydro and coal-

based thermal. Out of the total installed capacity of 15,720.43 MW, the renewable energy share

was 33.09%. The ratio of Hydro-thermal mix in the state’s electricity generation, in the public

sector, was about 4:3. The total power generation of 60,545 MUs in 2014-15 was higher than

58,783 MUs in 2013-14 due to good monsoons.

Table-2: Progress in Installed Capacity and Electricity Generation

Source Units 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16*

A. Installed Capacity

1. Public Sector

a) Hydro MW 3,652 3,652 3,652 3,652 3,667.35

b) Wind energy MW 5 5 5 5 5

c) Thermal MW 2,240 2,720 2,720 2,720 2,720

d) Diesel plants MW 108 108 108 108 108

e) Solar PV plants MW 9 14 14 14 24

Total 6,014 6,499 6,499 6,499 6,524.35

f) Jurala Hydro MW 117 117

2. Private Sector

a) IPP Thermal MW 709 1,550 1,550 1,200 1,200

b) Mini Hydro MW 656 701 742.06 785 835.46

c) Wind energy MW 1,976 2,177 2,365.34 2,677 2,871.54

d) Co-generation & MW 1,001 1171 1,247.58 1,286 1,371.08

Biomass

e) Solar MW 31.00 84 124

Total 4,342 5,599 5,935.98 6,149 6,519.08

3. Central

Generating Station

Allocation

MW 1,700 1,836 1,921 2,169 2,677

Total Installed capacity 12,056 13,934 14,355.98 14,817 15,720.43

Electricity Generation (Net)

a) Hydro (KPCL) MU 14,024.05 9,863.78 12,178.80 12,775.61 5,621.71

b) Thermal (KPCL) MU 12,856.55 12,414.98 14,978.20 15,428.83 11,845.13

c) Diesel (KPCL) MU

d) Wind (KPCL) MU 6.69

e) Solar PV plant 20.47

f) Private Sector MU 14,920.85 23,328.29 19,008.95 17,999.75 19,253

Total 41,801.45 45,607.05 46,165.95 46,204.19 36,747

a) Central projects MU 11,571.81 11,443.54 12,617.30 14,340.31 9,311

b) Other States MU

Total MU 11,571.81 11,443.54 12,617.30 14,340.31 9,311

Total Electricity supply MU 53,373.26 57,050.59 58,783.25 60,544.50 46,058

[Source: Department of Planning, Programme Monitoring & Statistics, GoK (2016) Installed

capacity of Power generation in 2015-16 (in MW) (*Up to Dec-2015)]

Performance of Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS)

9.16. During 2015-16, the power generation of the RTPS was 9,762 MUs in Unit Nos. 1 to 7

and 1,661 MUs in Unit No. 8, as shown in the Table-3. The plant load factor (PLF) was 75.6%

and 75.66% while the plant availability factor was 82.47% and 89.39%. The specific coal

consumption was 0.721 Kg/KWh and has shown a decrease since the previous year. This has

been as a result of efforts to improve efficiency of the plant and to decrease the intensity of

emissions, while reducing the cost of power due to decreased coal consumption per unit of

generation. The auxiliary consumption has also shown a decreasing trend and was 8.76% in

2015-16 at Unit Nos. 1 to 7 when compared to 9.08% in the previous year.

Table-3: Performance of Raichur Thermal Power Plant

(Source: KPCL Annual Report 2015-16)

Particulars

2015-16 2014-15

U 1 to 7 U 8 U 1 to 7 U 8

Generation in MUs 9,762.188 1,661.504 9,991.62 987.72

Aux. consumption in MUs 855.45 145.55 907.60 88.71

Aux. Consumption in % 8.76 8.76 9.08 8.98

Plant load factor 75.60 75.66 77.59 45.10

Coal consumption (lakh MT) 70.43 11.97 75.70 7.35

Specific coal consumption (Kg/KWh) 0.721 0.720 0.758 0.744

Specific oil consumption (ml/KWh) 1.71 2.64 2.43 13.89

Plant availability factor 82.47 89.39 87.90 71.29

Units in operation 7 1 7 1

Performance of Bellary Thermal Power Station (BTPS)

9.17. The performance of the BTPS is shown in the Table-4. During 2015-16, the generation

was 2,804 MUs and 3,304 MUs in Unit Nos. 1 and 2 respectively, and has shown an increase

from the previous year. The auxiliary consumption for Unit Nos.1 and 2 was 6.49% and 6.08%

respectively, and has decreased from the previous year, indicating improvement in their

efficiency. The plant load factor was 63.86% and 75.24% and has increased from the previous

year; another indication of higher efficiency. The specific coal consumption also decreased

during 2015-16 to 0.665 Kg/KWh and the plant availability factor has improved as compared to

the previous year.

Table-4: Performance of Bellary Thermal Power Plant

(Source: KPCL Annual Report 2015-16)

Performance of Major Hydro Stations

9.18. A list of the major and minor Hydro-electric projects in the state is given in Table-5 and

the performance of major hydro stations is shown in Table-6. The generation in the Sharavathy

station was 2,637.96 MUs during 2015-16. The plant load factor in the Sharavathy hydro station

was 29.02% and the availability factor was 84.62%. The performances of the Nagajhari and

Varahi hydro stations are also provided in Table 9.7. The decreased generation in the hydro

stations during 2015-16 as compared to their performance during 2014-15 may be attributed to

weak monsoon during that year (2015-16).

Table-5: Major and Minor Hydroelectric projects

Sl.No. Project Name River Basin District

1 Almatti Hydroelectric Project Krishna Krishna Vijayapura

2 Bhadra Hydroelectric Project Bhadra Krishna Chickmagalur

3 Ghatprabha Hydroelectric

Project

Ghataprabha Krishna Belgaum

4 Harangi Hydroelectric Project HrangiCanal Cauvery Kodagu

Particulars 2015-16 2014-15

U 1 U 2 U 1 U 2

Generation in MU 2,804.54 3,304.72 2,700.07 3,106.96

Aux. consumption in MUs 182.14 201.07 186.94 190.77

Aux. Consumption in % 6.49 6.08 6.92 6.14

Plant load factor 63.86 75.24 61.65 70.94

Coal consumption (lakh MT) 18.66 21.64 18.63 21.45

Specific coal consumption (Kg/KWh) 0.665 0.655 0.690 0.690

Specific oil consumption (ml/KWh) 0.87 1.398 2.26 1.48

Plant availability factor 72.96 88.46 72.59 82.94

Units in operation 1 1 1 1

5 Kabini Kabini Cauvery

6 Kalinadi Hydroelectric

Project

Kalinadi

West flowing

rivers from Tapi to

Tadri

Uttara Kannada

7 Mallapur Hydroelectric

Project

Tungbhadra Krishna Raichur

8 Munirabad Hydroelectric

Project

Tungabhadra Krishna Koppal

9 NarayanpurLeft Bank Canal

Hydroelectric Project

Krishna Krishna Bijapur

10

SeshadhriIyer

(Sivasamudram)

Hydroelectric

Cauvery Cauvery Mandya

11 Sharavathy Valley

Hydroelectric Project

Sharavathy

West flowing

rivers from Tadri

to Kanyakumari

Shimoga, Uttar

Kannada

12 Shivpur Hydroelectric Project Tungabhadra Krishna Raichur

13 Simshapura Hydroelectric

project

Cauvery Cauvery Mandya

14 Tungabhadra Hydroelectric

Project

Tungabhadra Krishna Bellary

15 Varahi Hydroelectric Project Varahi

West flowing

rivers from Tadri

to Kanyakumari

Raichur, Udupi

(Source: Water Resources Information, 2017)

Table-6: Performance of Major Hydel Power Stations

Stations

2015-16 2014-15

Generatio

n in MU

Plant

load

factor

%

Plant

avail.

factor

%

%

Auxil

.Con.

Generatio

n in MU

Plant

load

factor

%

Plant

avail.

factor

%

%

Auxil.

cons.

Sharavathy 2637.96 29.02 84.62 1.24 5208.756 57.45 92.72 1.18

Nagajhari 1928.65 24.4 77.70 1.48 3223.36 41.58 87.79 1.45

Varahi 752.10 18.61 84.00 2.94 1127.546 27.98 97.58 2.31

(Source: KPCL Annual Report 2015-16)

Performance of Minor Hydel Stations (100 MW and above)

9.19. The performances of minor hydro stations are shown in the Table-7. The generation in

these stations during 2015-16 has been lower than in the previous years, possibly due to the weak

monsoon. This has also resulted in lower plant load factors although the availability factors have

been more or less stable.

Table-7: Performance of Minor Hydel Power Stations

Minor Stations

2015-16 2014-15

Genera-

tion

in MU

Plant load

factor in

%

Avail.

factor

in %

Genera-

tion in

MU

Plant

load

factor in

%

Avail.

factor in

%

Supa 325.245 37.03 98.63 448.33 51.18 84.92

Gerusoppa 298.715 14.17 98.47 550.08 26.16 98.45

Kadra 217.474 16.51 90.67 400.86 30.51 87.89

Kodasalli 201.412 19.01 96.27 382.86 36.42 95.79

MGHE 313.876 25.67 93.18 344.65 28.26 88.03

Almatti 146.407 5.75 77.78 478.18 18.82 74.10

(Source: KPCL Annual Report 2015-16)

9.20. The state has potential for setting up 834 small / mini hydel projects with total capacity of

4,141.12 MW out of which 161 have been set up with capacity 1,177.93 MW and nine (9)

projects with capacity of 26.8 MW are under implementation as on 31.08.2015.

Station-wise generation in Million Units

9.21. The station-wise generation (in MU) for the years 2015-16 and 2014-15 has been shown

in Table-8. Thermal-fired generation has shown an increase during 2015-16, when compared to

the previous year, while hydro generations have decreased due to various factors including weak

monsoon. The wind generation capacity of KPCL showed a minor decrease while generation

from solar plants has shown a significant increase during 2015-16. The total generation by KPCL

stations in 2015-16 was 24,977 MUs, a considerable decrease from 2014-15 levels, due to the

lower generation of the hydro stations.

Table-8: Station-wise power generation (MU)

Sl. No. Station 2015-16 2014-15

1. Raichur Thermal Power Station 11,423.692 10,979.34

2. Bellary Thermal Power Station 6,149.520 5,807.03

3. Yermarus Thermal Power Station 1.046 -

4. Sharavathy Generating Station 2,637.960 5,208.76

5. Gerusoppa Dam Power House 298.715 550.082

6. Linganamakki Dam Power House 118.000 252.97

7. Nagjhari Power House 1,928.656 3,223.36

8. Supa Dam Power House 325.245 448.33

9. Kadra Dam Power House 217.474 400.86

10. Kodasalli Dam Power House 201.413 382.86

11. Varahi Underground Power House 752.102 1,127.55

12. Mani Dam Power House 18.532 27.95

(Source: KPCL Annual Report 2015-16)

Electricity supply

9.22. Electric power transmission is the bulk movement of electrical energy from a generating site to an electrical substation. Power distribution is movement of electrical energy from high-voltage substations to customers.

Transmission

9.23. A summary of the State Transmission system as on 31.03.2016 is shown in Table-9.

There are 1,433 sub-stations and the total transmission line is about 43,021.827 Circuit

Kilometers (CktKms).

Table-9: Summary of the State Transmission system as on 31.03.2016

Voltage Level in kV No. of Stations Transmission Line in CktKms.

400 4 2,683.324

220 97 10,948.849

110 385 10,193.612

66 602 10,425.502

33 345 8,770.540

TOTAL 1,433 43,021.827

(Source: KERC Annual Report, 2015-16)

9.24. KPTCL has initiated various measures like augmentation of stations/lines and

introduction of new stations/lines in order to bring down transmission losses in the system. The

measures seem to have worked, considering that in FY15 KPTCL reported transmission losses of

3.67%, lesser than the approved transmission loss of 3.92%. In the following year, FY16,

13. Almatti Dam Power House 146.407 478.18

14. Ghataprabha Dam Power House 31.611 65.18

15. Bhadra Dam Power House 39.886 50.11

16. Kalmala, Sirwar, Ganekal&Mallapur 0.000 0

17. Shivasamudram 215.539 219.76

18. Shimshapura Hydro Electric Station 55.563 84.87

19. Mahatma Gandhi Hydro Electric Station 313.876 344.652

20. Munirabad Power House 63.427 106.82

21. DG Plant Yelahanka 0.000 0

22. Kappatagudda Wind Farm 8.120 9.59

23. Solar PV Stations at Kolar & Belgaum 30.420 16.46

Total 24,977.204 29,784.70

transmission losses were further reduced to 3.535%, a reduction of 0.135% from the previous

year and lesser than the approved loss level of 3.90%. Table-10 provides details of transmission

losses of KPTCL for the last five years.

Table-10: Transmission losses of KPTCL from FY 11- FY 16

Particulars FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16

As approved by KERC (%) 4.00 3.98 3.96 3.94 3.92 3.90

As reported by KPTCL (%) 4.39 4.54 3.81* 3.80* 3.67* 3.535*

[*Transmission losses are excluding southern region losses. All other figures are

inclusive of southern region losses. Figures are in percentage.] (Source: KERC Annual Report)

Distribution

9.25. Statistics relating to the distribution companies in Karnataka are given in the Table-11,

based on KERC’s Annual Report for 2015-16. KPTCL manages the transmission system through

which power is transmitted. ESCOMs enter into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with

generators. The same is accounted for at the generation bus of the generating stations. This

energy is transmitted through the transmission system to the interface points with ESCOMs,

which then distribute the energy through their distribution network to different categories of

consumers. The KERC Annual Report (2015-16) indicates that BESCOM has the highest

number of consumers and consumed the most energy. While HESCOM was the second highest,

the number of consumers as well as the energy consumed was only a half of that of BESCOM.

The numbers are shown in Table 9.13.

Table-11: Distribution of electric power by various electricity supply

companies (Source: KERC Annual Report).

Sl.

Particulars (As on 31.03.2016)

BESCOM

MESCO

M

CESC

OM

HESCOM

GESCO

M

Hukeri

No.

RECS

1. Area Sq. km. 41,092 26,222 27,773 54,513 43,861 991.49

2. Districts Nos. 8 4 5 7 6 -

3. Taluks Nos. 46 22 29 49 31 1

4. Population lakhs 207 61.55 81.55 166 112 3.571

5. Consumers lakhs 101.47 21.53 28.50 42.46 27.54 1.17

6.

Energy MU

24,538.18

4,869.14

6,256.07

10,072.25

6,476.64

264.36

Consumption

7. Zone Nos. 3 1 1 2 2 -

8.

DTCs Nos.

2,36,672

54,056

94,258

1,46,138

76,884

2,038

9.

HT lines Ckt. kms

89,297.69

31,639.94

46,981.34

66,080.93

52,486.78

1,291

10. LT lines Ckt. kms 1,63,045.47 76,808.49 79,377.80 1,15,152.92 83,058.63 3,970

9.26. The KERC approved distribution losses for the ESCOMs for the year FY16 are given in

Table-12.

Table-12: KERC approved distribution losses for ESCOMs for the year FY16

Name of the ESCOM Approved distribution losses for FY16 (%)

BESCOM 13.40

MESCOM 11.25

CESC 14.50

HESCOM 17.50

GESCOM 16.50

Hukeri RECS 14.50

(Source: KERC Annual Report)

9.27. As indicated in Table-13, distribution losses over the last six years have seen a decreasing

trend, indicating higher efficiency of performance of ESCOMS. This has helped in decreasing

the overall emissions and thereby easing the environmental burden on the state.

Table-13: Trend of distribution losses in ESCOMS for the period between FY11 to FY16

Name of the

ESCOM FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16*

BESCOM 14.48 14.46 13.82 13.89 13.53 12.01

MESCOM 13.07 12.09 11.88 11.93 11.57 11.50

CESC 15.48 16.20 15.07 14.73 13.89 13.60

HESCOM 19.85 19.99 19.96 18.05 16.74 16.86

GESCOM 22.06 21.71 19.09 17.77 18.93 18.98

Hukeri RECS 15.15 15.30 14.91 15.25 15.04 15.23

(Source: KERC Annual Report. Figures in percentage; * based on provisional data)

9.28. The overall transmission and distribution losses for the state in the past six years are

shown in Table-14. These losses have been consistently showing a decreasing trend due to

intense efforts made by the managing agencies such as KPTCL and ESCOMS and the various

programs of the Energy department, Government of Karnataka and schemes of the Government

of India focusing on energy efficiency and amelioration of the environment.

Table-14: The overall transmission and distribution losses for the State for the period from

2011-12 to 2016-17

FY11 FY12 FY13 FY14 FY15 FY16*

21.26 19.96 19.61 18.92 18.63 17.36

(Source: KERC Annual Report. Figures in percentage; * based on provisional data)

Petroleum products

9.29. The consumption of various petroleum products has been discussed in Chapter 5. Power

shortage in India is of the order of about 9%; at peak periods it goes up to 18%. In some regions

it is worse (Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell (PPAC), 2013). The deficit is increasingly

being met through power produced by diesel and heavy fuel oil-powered generating sets. The

power back-up market in India is growing at an annual rate of 10-15% due to rising demand-

supply gap, however varying within its three different segments – generators, UPS and inverters.

9.30. Agri-pumps: Pump-sets in India are used in domestic, agriculture, construction and

industrial sectors. Agriculture sector leads in the usage of pumps in India with prominent uses for

irrigation purposes. The number of farmers using diesel powered pumps is high in villages

having remote or minimal access to electricity. However, there too, poor farmers are ignorant of

the fact that using efficient and technologically advanced pumps will be beneficial to them by

bringing down the fuel usage.

9.31. Mobile Towers: In the telecom sector, service providers have started infrastructure

sharing in order to save capital cost and the cost of fuel needed to operate the Base Transceiver

Station (BTS). In the coming days, this transformation may reduce the consumption of diesel in

mobile sites.

Table-15: Consumption of Diesel in Transport Sector in major states- Retail Sales

Sl.

No.

States

Diesel Transport

Cars & UVs

Private

Cars & UVs

Commercial

HCV/LCV

& Buses

3 Wheelers

Passenger/Goods

Figures in percentage (%)

1. Andhra Pradesh 16.99 7.16 42.24 7.47

2. Assam 17.77 15.47 29.12 15.74

3. Bihar 16.18 3.67 27.14 8.05

4. Delhi 34.69 18.43 18.49 0.29

5. Gujarat 15.65 11.11 47.04 11.68

6. Haryana 7.56 4.46 50.54 1.99

7. Karnataka 18.62 9.87 42.02 5.92

8. Kerala 16.22 8.26 41.94 9.63

9. Madhya Pradesh 13.93 12.93 32.75 8.34

10. Maharashtra 13.10 10.53 53.64 9.94

11. Orissa 16.21 11.12 45.29 9.37

12. Punjab 14.15 9.75 26.49 2.48

13. Rajasthan 15.61 16.82 39.58 4.83

14. Tamil Nadu 16.71 11.81 41.00 8.12

15. Uttar Pradesh 14.67 9.33 25.72 5.88

16. West Bengal 20.06 10.47 45.80 5.00

17. All India 15.13 10.29 40.80 7.36

Source: PPAC (2013)

Table-16: State-wise consumption of Diesel in Non-Transport Sector - Retail Sales

Sl.

No.

States

Diesel Non-Transport

Tractor

s

Agri

Imple

ments

Agri

Pum

pset

Indust

ry

-

Gense

t

Industry

- Other

Purpose

Mobile

Tower

Others

(Genset

for

nonindust

ry

purposes)

& Others

Figures in percentage (%)

1 Andhra

Pradesh

6.70 1.96 2.56 5.59 3.09 1.09 5.17

2 Assam 3.75 2.57 3.89 4.87 1.36 3.32 2.14

3 Bihar 14.15 3.28 8.71 1.51 1.19 3.59 12.53

4 Delhi 0.65 0.00 0.21 9.84 7.53 0.02 9.85

5 Gujarat 2.96 2.40 1.22 1.61 0.92 0.97 4.44

6 Haryana 10.20 7.29 3.26 8.24 2.52 0.43 3.49

7 Karnataka 4.98 3.88 2.16 4.49 2.03 1.57 4.47

8 Kerala 3.76 2.15 1.43 5.57 2.14 1.24 7.65

9 Madhya

Pradesh

11.85 2.72 6.23 3.63 0.81 1.63 5.17

10 Maharashtra 2.73 0.91 1.88 2.26 1.11 1.95 1.95

11 Orissa 4.84 0.69 0.61 1.68 0.61 1.13 8.45

12 Punjab 17.69 8.58 7.02 6.19 2.56 2.01 3.09

13 Rajasthan 12.42 2.50 1.87 3.20 1.25 0.87 1.05

14 Tamil Nadu 4.48 1.69 1.72 6.08 2.36 1.95 4.07

15 Uttar Pradesh 14.00 4.29 7.27 6.45 4.61 3.92 3.86

16 West Bengal 3.72 2.18 2.87 3.65 2.97 2.17 1.11

17 All India 7.65 3.13 3.33 4.34 2.11 1.77 4.08

Source: PPAC (2013)

Nuclear Power

9.32. According to the Annual Report (2017) of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India

(NPCIL)(2017), nuclear power plant in Kaiga (Karnataka) has a capacity of 4 x 220MW as

shown in the Table-17.

Table-17: - Date of commissioning of Nuclear power in Kaiga, Uttar Kannada

district, Karnataka

Unit Reactor Type Capacity(MW) Date of Commercial Operation

1 Pressurised Heavy Water

Reactor(PHWR) 220 November 16, 2000

2 Pressurised Heavy Water

Reactor(PHWR) 220 March 16, 2000

3 Pressurised Heavy Water

Reactor(PHWR) 220 May 6, 2007

4 Pressurised Heavy Water

Reactor(PHWR) 220 January 20, 2011

9.33. It can be observed from Table-18 that the capacity factor and availability factor for Units

1 and 2 of the Kaiga nuclear power plant have been quite high and the gross generation values

are also provided for a period of four years.

Table-18: Gross power generation from Kaiga Power Plant

Unit Year Gross

Generation(MUs)

Capacity

Factor (%)

Availability

Factor (%)

1 2016-2017 1,742 90 91

1 2015-2016 1,918 99 96

1 2014-2015 1,695 88 100

1 2013-2014 1,587 82 92

2 2016-2017 1,708 89 88

2 2015-2016 1,834 95 92

2 2014-2015 1,450 75 88

2 2013-2014 1,740 90 99

Source: NPCIL (2017)

Renewable Energy

Capacity

9.34. The state has enormous solar energy potential that needs to be harnessed by

commissioning of more and more solar power plants. Table-19 shows the potential,

commissioned and envisaged capacity addition of green power in the state as of 2016. Table-20

shows the progress achieved up to July, 2017 in commissioning of plants for generation of

energy from various Renewable Energy (RE) sources as per the KREDL website. These

initiatives can increasingly provide cleaner power to the state paving the way for reduced

consumption of non-renewable energy sources thereby lowering emission levels.

Table-19: Potential, commissioned and envisaged capacity addition of green power

as of 2016

Sl. No. RE Sources

Potential

Capacity

Capacity

Allotted

Capacity

Commissioned

Cancelled

Capacity

Balance

Allotted

Capacity to be

Commissioned

1 Wind 13,983 13,929 2,916 3,427 7,585

2 Mini Hydel 3,000 3,015 836 730 1,450

3 Solar 10,000 1,994 134 70 1,790

4 Co-generation 1,500 1,847 1,252 11 584

5 Biomass 1,000 370 134 0 236

6

Municipal

Solid Waste 135 25 0 0 25

Total 29,618 21,180 5,272 4,238 11,670

(Source: KERC Annual Report 2015-16; figures in MW)

Table-20: Renewable Energy Progress Report up to July, 2017

Sl.

No. RE Sources

Allotted Capacity in

MW

Commissioned

Capacity in MW Cancelled Capacity in MW

1 Wind 16,308.42 3,840.36 5,205.44

2 Hydro 2,996.898 848.958 623.760

3 Co-gen 1,946.85 1,385.55 0.00

4 Biomass 391.18 134.03 0.00

5 Muncipal Solid Waste 25.50 0.00 0.00

Total - A 21,668.848 6,208.898 5,829.2

6 Solar

A. Competitive

Bidding 1,855.00 797.00 0.00

B. Land Owning

Farmer 306.00 245.00 0.00

C. SECI 970.00 0.00 0.00

D. JNNSM 25.00 25.00 0.00

E. Mega Solar Park 2,000.00 0.00 0.00

F. IPP 1,303.45 148.00 0.00

G. Private Park 264.00 24.88 0.00

Total - B 6,723.45 1,239.88 0.00

Grand Total (A+B) 28,392.298 7,448.778 5,829.2

(Source: KREDL website accessed on 16 August, 2017)

Compliance of Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO)

9.35. All ESCOMS have exceeded the RPO targets implying that they have put up intense

efforts to increase the procurement of renewable energy. The Energy department and its agencies

such as KREDL have been encouraging growth of renewable energy by formulating innovative

policy measures and designing incentive-based schemes to attract private players to come

forward and put up renewable energy power plants. Table-21 shows the Solar and Non-Solar

Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) for each ESCOM in the state. It also shows the amount

of energy that each ESCOM has sourced from renewable energy (RE) or solar sources and also

as a percentage of the total energy purchased by the ESCOM.

Table-21: Non-solar Renewable Purchase Obligations (RPO) and Solar RPO for each

ESCOM in the state

Non-Solar RPO Solar

RPO

Energy

RPO

Non-

solar RE %Non-

%RP

O RPO

Solar

Energy

% Solar

RPO

ESCOM Purchased-

Target

(%)

RPO

Target

purchase

d- solar

Targe

t Target

purchased

- met

MU MU MU- i.e. RPO MU MU

RPO met met

BESCOM 29143.62 10 2914.36 4975.61 17.07% 0.25 72.86 131.85 0.45

MESCOM 5027.72 10 502.77 708.78 14.10% 0.25 12.57 42.15 0.84

CESC 6444.82 10 644.48 721.96 11.20% 0.25 16.11 25.22 0.39

HESCOM 12780.05 7 894.60 1143.41 8.95% 0.25 31.95 53.31 0.42

(including

HRECS)

GESCOM 8244.39 5 412.22 560.95 6.80% 0.25 20.61 45.28 0.55

Total 61640.60 8.71 5368.43 7388.75 11.99% 0.25 150.10 297.81 0.48

(Note: Compliance is based on provisional data. Source: KERC Annual Report 2015-16; figures

in MW)

Domestic Energy

9.36. Apart from electricity, domestic activity consumes energy for cooking and lighting. The

details of domestic energy consumption have been discussed in Chapter 5.

Environmental concerns.

9.37. Growing migration from rural to urban areas and from other regions of the country has

resulted in increasing demands on housing, food, energy and mobility, all of which are

dependent upon cost-intensive and huge infrastructure. This means that investment choices have

long-term implications. Energy consumption and use of fossil fuel are still very high in the state.

Fossil fuels especially petroleum products still account for substantial energy supply, imposing a

heavy burden on natural ecosystems through climate change, air pollution and eutrophication of

water bodies. Thus, it is important to avoid investments that compel society to use existing

technologies, limit options of innovation or restrict investments in substitutes. The foundation for

short- and long-term improvements in Karnataka’s environment and her people's health and

economic prosperity rests on fuller implementation of policies formulated for this purpose. It is

important to ensure better integration of the environmental policies with those of various sectors

like energy, transport, fuel, etc. that contribute the most to environmental pressures and impacts.

9.38. However, in order to do this, the gap between the available and established data and

indicators for monitoring and the data and indicators actually required to support transitions

needs to be addressed first. Addressing this gap necessitates investments in areas/technologies

that allow for better understanding of systems science, forward-looking information, systemic

risks and the relationships between environmental change and human well-being. On the positive

side, the state has made substantial progress in non-conventional energy (like solar and wind

energy) to fulfil the energy demands from increasing population.

Table-22: Environmental Impacts of some Energy Supply and Storage Technologies

Sl.

No.

Energy

Source

Location in

Karnataka

Water Air Noise Biological Climate change Solid waste

1. Nuclear Kaiga, Uttara

Kannada

Disposed as per

applicable statute

Disposed as per

applicable statute

Unlikely to affect

noise level outside

plant premises

Not significant Not significant Disposed as per

applicable

statute

2. Lead acid

Battery

Used, serviced

and disposed all

over Karnataka

Indiscriminate

disposal of acid is

likely to affect surface

water and ground

water

Likely to emit lead

during

manufacturing/rec

ycling activities

Not significant Entry of lead into

natural resources

will lead to lead

poisoning

Not significant Entry of lead

into

environment

will result in

lead poisoning

3. Dry cells Used serviced

and disposed all

over Karnataka

Indiscriminate

disposal of cells is

likely to affect surface

water and ground

water

Likely to emit lead

during

manufacturing/rec

ycling activity

Not significant Entry of lead into

environment will

lead to lead

poisoning

Not significant Entry of

chemicals into

environment

will result in

poisoning

4. Fire All over

Karnataka

Scrubbed air

pollutants will pollute

water

Cause air pollution Not significant Use of fire wood

may result in loss

of tree

Significant

source of GHGs

Likely to

generate ash

5. Solar All over

Karnataka

Not significant Not significant Not significant Not significant Not significant End of life PV

cells will have

significant

hazardous

material which

needs

precautionary

approach during

disposal

6. Wind Chitradurga Not significant Not significant Mechanical sound

generated by the

turbine. Overall

sound levels

depend on turbine

design and wind

speed

Habitat disruption

and death of bird

and bat species

Not significant Not significant

7. Diesel

generator

All over

Karnataka

Not significant Use of low

sulphur fuel may

reduce emission of

Not significant if

acoustic enclosures

are used

Not significant Significant

source of GHG

Waste oil needs

to be disposed

to authorised

SOx. Cumulative

accumulation of

NOx will

deteriorate air

quality

recycler

8. Biomass All over

Karnataka

Not significant Use of

methanisation

plant for

production of

methane and

subsequent use

may not contribute

significant gases

with high global

warming potential

Unlikely to affect

noise level outside

plant premises

Impact depends

on operation of

plant and

emission

Not significant

Ash need to be

disposed

9. Coal

based

thermal

power

Raichur, Bellary Uses significant

quantity of water for

cooling and steam

generation. Shortage

of water may affect

power generation and

breach of ash pond is

likely to affect surface

water quality.

Generate

significant

quantity of SOx,

NOx and mercury

Unlikely to affect

noise level outside

plant premises

Impact depends

on operation of

plant and

emission

Significant

source of GHG

Fly ash has

ready buyers as

it is used in

cement industry.

Disposal of

bottom ash is a

major concern.

10. Major and

Minor

Hydro

List of Major

hydroelectricity

is given in Table

9.7. Apart from

these, micro-

hydro power

plants have been

established in

various river

stretches.

Not significant Not significant Unlikely to affect

noise level outside

premises

Destroys forests,

wildlife habitat,

agricultural land,

as well as scenic

lands. Reservoir

water typically

has low levels of

dissolved oxygen

and is colder than

normal river

water. When this

water is released,

it can have

negative impacts

on downstream

plants/animals.

Life-cycle

emissions from

large-scale

hydroelectric

plants built in

semi-arid

regions are

modest. Large

scale projects

demand cutting

of trees.

Not significant

9.39. The impact on air and water due to emissions is discussed in Chapter 5 and impact on

climate change due to energy consumptions and impact due to subsequent emission is discussed

in Chapter 13.

(Source: Google Image)

Fig.1: Satellite image of Raichur Thermal power plant

9.40. All parts of the electricity system can affect the environment. The size of these impacts

will depend on how and where the electricity is generated and delivered. The environmental

effects associated with electricity systems can include:

Emissions of GHG and other air pollutants, when a fuel is burned (Fig. 1).

Use of water resources to steam generation, cooling and other functions.

Thermal pollution when water discharged is hotter than the original temperature of the

water body.

Generation of solid waste, including hazardous waste.

Land use for fuel production, power generation, as well as transmission/distribution lines.

Effects on plants, animals and ecosystems due to pollution.

9.41. Some of these environmental effects can also potentially affect human health, particularly

if they result in people being exposed to pollutants in air, water or soil.

9.42. Mercury may be present in the flue gas in many forms. The specific chemical form – has

a strong impact on the capture of mercury by boiler air pollution control (APC) equipment.

Mercury may be present in the exhaust as a vapor of an oxidized mercury species (Hg2+

), as

elemental mercury vapor (Hg0), as well as particulate-bound mercury (Hgp).

9.43. Mercury is present in coal in trace amounts (around 0.1 ppm on average). During

combustion the mercury is released into the flue gas as elemental mercury vapor, Hg0

(Environment Protection Agency (EPA), 2005).

9.44. The reservoirs are always accompanied with environmental impacts. The major impacts

are briefly indicated in following paragraphs.

Impacts of the dam on the catchment: Extraction of fuel wood by the labor force and

opening up of the forest due to roads, etc., both during and after dam construction,

degrades the forests in the catchment of the dam.

Impacts on aquatic ecosystems, terrestrial fauna/flora, Submergence of forests and

Impacts on cultivated biodiversity: Construction activities have major adverse impacts

on the aquatic ecosystem. Vulnerable species, with limited distribution and low tolerance,

become extinct even before the dam is completed. Blocking of a river and consequent

formation of a reservoir alter the ecological conditions of the river, adversely impacting

species as well as the ecosystem. By interrupting the flow of water, ecological continuity

is broken. The disturbance caused by construction activities adversely impacts the fauna

and flora at the dam site. Impoundment in many dams has submerged large tracts of

forests and other ecosystems, including grasslands and wetlands. Reservoirs also

submerge productive agricultural land in the valley. This not only has a social and

economic cost but also adversely affects cultivated biodiversity and a host of birds,

insects, mammals and reptiles that have adapted to agricultural ecosystems. In many

cases, traditional crop varieties and methods of cultivation disappear because of dams

(Constructor, 2017). The reservoir area of major dams in Karnataka is given in Table-23.

Satellite images of some of the dams in Karnataka are shown in Figs. 2 to 4.

(Source: Google Image)

Fig. 2: Satellite image of Sharavati Power Generation Plant

(Source: Google Image)

Fig. 3: Satellite image of Kalinadi Nagjari Hydroelectric power plant

(Source: Google Image)

Fig. 4: Satellite image of Varahi power plant

Impacts on human health: There is substantial threat of vector breeding from reservoirs

in the tropical regions, especially in areas with elevation below 1,000 meters.

Mosquitoes, which are carriers of malaria, filaria, dengue and other diseases, breed in

small pools of water formed on the edges of the reservoir. In some areas, snails, which

are carriers of schistosomiasis, are also found to multiply because of dams. Malaria

became highly endemic in Raichur district of Karnataka after the construction of the

Tungabhadra dam and its canal network (Ravi et al, 2017).

Impacts of reservoir-induced seismicity (RIS): The weight of the reservoir, by itself or in

conjunction with other reservoirs in the region, can result in an earthquake. Seventeen

(17) of the seventy-five (75) cases of RIS reported worldwide have been from India

(Constructor, 2017).

Impacts of power lines: Very often corridors have to be cut through forests and other

natural ecosystems to accommodate power lines. This adversely affects the terrestrial

ecosystems. These corridors have to be maintained for repairs as well as for up-gradation,

causing long-term impacts.

Table-23: Reservoir Area of Major dams in Karnataka

Name of Dam Reservoir Area (km2)

Krishnarajasagar Dam 10.62

Tungabhadra Dam 349.20

Bhadra Dam 117.25

Linganamakki Dam 317.28

Malaprabha Dam 129.50

Hidkal Dam 78.04

Hemavathi Project 91.62

Supa Dam 123.00

Lakhya 6.05

Almatti 687.87

9.45. As per information gathered from the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) (2017),

since 1980 the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) has accorded permission for

diversion of 3,932 hectares of forest land for wind power projects; this excludes the forest land

diverted for roads and transmission lines to and from the project sites. Around 88 per cent of

total forestland diverted for wind projects is from Karnataka (57%) and Maharashtra (31%).

Fig. 5: One of the wind power project sites in Karnataka

9.46. Anthropogenic activities in urban areas have resulted in the formation of “Urban Heat

Islands” (UHI), in which urban areas have higher air temperature than their rural surroundings.

This is a result of anthropogenic modifications to land surfaces, significant energy use and

consequent generation of waste heat. The urban population is at a greater risk of increased

morbidity and mortality due to UHI (Shahmohamadi et al 2011).

9.47. Studies by TERI (2017) have revealed that amongst the IT locations in Bengaluru,

Whitefield registers the highest Air Temperatures (AT) as well as Globe Temperatures (GT)

during daytime. This is because Whitefield has a high percentage of open land surfaces with low

green cover. Due to high percentage of open lands, night temperatures are low and significant

variations are noticed in diurnal temperatures.

9.48. The temperature gradient across the city is sharper compared to that in rural areas. The

difference between ‘peak’ value as well as the background rural temperature is called as “UHI

intensity” and can result in a temperature difference of up to 10oC (Asimakopoulos D et al 2001).

9.49. On comparing commercial zones with residential areas, it is observed that IT parks

planned in commercial areas such as Whitefield register 4oC higher temperature during daytime

compared to residential areas such as Belandur; this is due to high anthropogenic heat emitted by

buildings and other uncovered impervious surfaces which trap and then release it, thereby

making the surroundings warmer (TERI, 2017).

9.50. The heat from solar radiation and anthropogenic sources absorbed during the day by

built-up areas is re-emitted after sunset, creating high-temperature differences between rural as

well as urban areas (Asimakopoulos D et al 2001). The exact form and size of this phenomenon

varies in time as well as space as a result of regional, meteorological and urban characteristics.

The differences in temperature are more palpable during the nights and the summer season and

are less so during the winter and rainy seasons. Urban areas with water bodies, lung spaces as

well as green coverage experience less impact due to UHI.

9.51. In Electronic City of Bengaluru, it was observed that thick green cover combined with

white roofs and light colored surfaces are very effective in lowering day and night temperatures.

Presence of water bodies further helps in reducing the temperature due to evaporative cooling

(TERI, 2017).

9.52. Maximum increase in the urban temperatures occurs during clear and still-air nights

(Givoni B. 1998). A majority of cities are around 2°C warmer than rural areas, with commercial

and high-density residential areas being hotter by 5 to 7°C (Bonan G., 2002).

9.53. It is observed that Marathahalli, has low GT and AT during day time, despite having

identical Relative Humidity (RH). This confirms that the lower daytime GT and AT is due to

high height to width (H/W) ratio. Here, the buildings are tall and the space between the buildings

is narrow and, as a result, the surfaces are protected from direct solar radiation (TERI, 2017).

9.54. UHI is present in every town and city and is the climatic expression of urbanization

(Landsberg H. E. 1981). Urban areas are the sources of anthropogenic green house gases (GHGs)

from urban activities such as operating electrical/electronic appliances and machineries

(Santamouris M.2001, Grimmond S. 2007). As a result of UHI, many cities in the tropics

experience weak winds as well as limited circulation of air, which, in turn, helps in the

accumulation of pollutants (Roth M.,2002). The wind speed and direction may also be altered

(Santamouris M., 2001). In addition, higher temperatures increase the production of secondary,

photochemical pollutants. In a nutshell, UHI affects the health of citizen, energy consumption,

micro-climate of urban settlements. The UHI study in Bangalore has revealed decrease in diurnal

temperatures particularly in the city core during winter months (Mohapatra, 2002).

9.55. Studies by TERI (2017) in Jayangar of Bengaluru during January to Febrary, 2017 have

revealed that the average AT ranges from 18o C at 5:00 hrs to 30.5

oC at 16:00 hrs, whereas the

average GT ranges from 18o C at 5:00 hrs to 31.8

o C at 16:00 hrs. Bengaluru usually experiences

early spring season during this time of the year wherein average temperature reaches about 30oC

during day time and lowers to about 17oC during the nights.

9.56. Apart from anthropogenic heat, low wind speeds and air pollution, there are other reasons

for increased UHI (Gartland L. 2008). Temperatures of dark, dry surfaces can reach up to 88°C

during the day, due to absorption of heat, while vegetated surfaces with moist soil under the

same conditions may reach only 18°C.

9.57. The type and magnitude of environmental impact due to energy source, supply and

storage technologies vary considerably. Table-22 describes some of the environmental impacts

due to certain energy sources, supply and storage technologies.

Fig. 6: Non-operational electrical components stored before disposal

9.58. Production, transmission, distribution and usages of energy have long term environmental

impacts. Proper disposal of end-of-life components used for energy production, transmission,

distribution and usages (Figs. 6 and 7) is very important, as many of these components are

hazardous in nature. BESCOM which serves a population of 2.07 crore had 2,03,803 distribution

transformers as on 30.9.2014 (BESCOM, 2017). The transformer oil which qualifies as

hazardous waste needs special attention while handling, storing and disposing, as it poses a great

threat to the environment.

Recommendations for Policy Makers

9.59. Given the rise in population, rate of urbanization and economic growth, energy-demand

is only likely to increase, resulting in corresponding expansion of the infrastructure related to its

supply, transmission and distribution. Over the last few years, increase in demand-side devices

has increased the burden on the environment. This trend is only likely to increase in the next few

decades if population growth and rate of unplanned urbanization remain unchecked. The

following solutions can help reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with

electricity generation:

Energy efficiency. End-users can meet some of their needs by adopting energy-efficient

technologies and practices. In this respect, energy efficiency is a resource that reduces the

need to generate electricity.

Clean centralized generation. New and existing power plants can reduce environmental

impacts by increasing generation efficiency, installing more efficient pollution control

devices and by leveraging cleaner energy supply resources.

Clean distributed generation. Some distributed generation, such as distributed

renewable energy, can help support delivery of clean, reliable power to customers and

reduce electricity losses along transmission and distribution lines.

Combined heat and power (CHP). Also known as cogeneration, CHP produces

electricity as well as heat simultaneously from the same fuel source. By using heat that

Fig. 7: - Transformers observed in

one of the storage yards

would otherwise be wasted, CHP is both distributed generation and a form of energy

efficiency.

9.60. Urgent, innovative steps are needed, which can help the state reduce mercury pollution

and GHG emissions while ensuring adequate increase in affordable, clean energy supply to meet

the demands of a growing, prosperous population. The state has taken up various initiatives to

meet the growing energy demand while ensuring pollution free living and sustainability. These

include (a) increasing the thrust on supply of clean or renewable energy from sources such as

solar and wind, (b) increasing the energy efficiency of demand side sectors and (c) maximizing

the amount of useful output for every unit of energy that is consumed. However, energy will

have its long-term environmental implications. In order to promote

environmentally favourable energy options that are consistent with broader social and economic

goals, the following recommendations are made:

(a) Achieving closer institutional links between energy and environmental policy-

making from the preliminary stages and throughout the policy process;

(b) Encouraging identification of the net environmental benefits of policies which

promote increased energy efficiency;

(c) Costs of environmental protection incurred at various stages of production,

transmission and use of energy should be adequately reflected in the prices of all

forms of energy;

(d) Identifying and taking into account, at an early stage of decision-making, the

environmental implications of energy-related measures and strategies as well as

the energy implications of environmental measures and strategies;

(e) Encouraging solar and renewable energy power to get clean and green energy;

(f) The existing thermal power plants should be run with greater efficiency by using

coal of good quality and by adopting renovation and modernization programmes

with new technological advancements;

(g) It is very essential to ensure that demand-side management and energy

conservation are enforced as priority programs;

(h) There should be a balance between energy generation, environmental impact and

usage of electricity by consumers;

(i) More emphasis should be given for the storage of electricity, which could be used

to store surplus solar and renewable power.