Conservative use of the water available in hydel projects, coupled with timely conclusion of power purchase agreements with outside suppliers, will spare the state from power cuts during the coming summer, according to senior KSEB sources.

In view of the sharp fall in water storage in the reservoirs following the failure of both the monsoons last year, the Board had restricted release of water for irrigation purposes from September onwards.

Higher demand With the water conserved, 1,400 million units could be generated, a senior source told BusinessLine .

Besides, during February, hydel generation was limited to 7.5 - 8 mus daily. This month it will be raised to 14 mus daily because of higher demand. The average daily requirement during April to May is estimated at 74 mus.

In order to make up for the fall in hydel generation, KSEB had entered into purchase agreements with Power Trading Corporation and Tata Power Trading under which 400 MW will be available in March, April and May.

Of this, 300 MW will be supplied round the cloak while 100 MW would be available at peak hours, the official said.

Purchase agreements He said 31 mus would come from the central grid. Under long-term and medium-term purchase agreements, 11 mus and 7 mus will be available. The balance will be purchased through power exchange.

Besides, an agreement has been reached with the Delhi-based power distribution company GMR Trading for supply of 2 mus daily under a “swap arrangement,” the official said.

The company will supply power to KSEB till mid-May and this 2mus will be returned daily to the supplier from July after the set in of south-west monsoon.

“We are, thus, trying to manage without going for the costly power. But, in the event of any contingency and not to resort to power cut, the Board might go for power from the NTPC's Kayamkulam thermal plant, BSES, Brahmapuram and Kozhikode diesel power plants,” the official said.

Transmission corridor He said the non-completion of the Edamon-Kochi section of the transmission line from Koodankulam, which is pending for over 12 years now due to litigations relating to compensation to farmers, is depriving the state of a badly needed transmission corridor.

The issue is expected to be resolved by this month and work on the line might resume next month, the source said, adding that it might normally take 18 months to complete.

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