1.2.1 Karnataka's Energy Scene:

As Karnataka does not have any coal deposits, It gets its coal from outside. The electrical energy for Karnataka was purely hydro for a long time and only now with the commissioning of Raichur thermal power station, it gets electrical energy from coal also. The other major source of commercial energy - oil - is also not available in Karnataka. Hence the main source of commercial energy for the state is from hydroelectric plants. Karnataka state depends both on commercial and non commercial forms of energy (Government of Karnataka 1990 and Government of Karnataka 1994). Non commercial energy has a major share of 53.16%, met mainly by sources like firewood, agricultural residues, charcoal, cowdung. While commercial energy's share is only 46.84% met mainly by electricity and oil. Electricity is the major commercial energy source with a share of 55.64% of commercial energy consumed for 1990-91. Firewood consumption is around 7.44 million tons of oil equivalent, i.e. 42.99% of the overall energy consumed. Agro wastes have a 8.73% share. This demonstrates that we depend mainly on biomass to meet our rural energy needs. Sectorwise energy consumption shows that industries sector has a major share of 51.4% similar to the national scene. This is followed by transport sector (23.0%), household (11.2%), and agriculture (3.5%).