BENGALURU: A significant number of households may soon see improvements due to a crackdown on large apartment blocks and commercial projects that electricity officials claim are straining the city’s electrical network. Following complaints from resident welfare associations (RWAs), the government has opted to take action against developers of ‘self-execution (SE) projects’ who have neglected to establish required electrical infrastructure while consuming substantial power.
The state’s energy department instructed the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) on Friday to take measures against developers who have not set up dedicated substations and the necessary electrical infrastructure, as required by Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) regulations.
According to the regulations, residential and commercial projects requiring an electrical load greater than 7.5 MVA must create dedicated substations and related infrastructure at their expense prior to receiving a permanent power supply. This rule is intended to prevent large private developments from overburdening the existing public electricity network or placing the financial burden on taxpayers for infrastructure meant solely for private use.
Energy Minister KJ George indicated that nearly 45 projects have been flagged in Bengaluru, with notices sent to the developers involved. “These projects could face a penalty amounting to 10% of the project cost under KERC regulations. Ongoing non-compliance leading to transmission constraints at KPTCL substations may result in stricter actions, including power disconnection,” George stated.
KPTCL Managing Director V Ram Prasath Manohar has directed all divisions to locate apartment complexes, layouts, townships, and commercial establishments that are exceeding their authorized electrical load without the necessary infrastructure.
