Mismatch in energy demand and supply, coupled with price constraints, has compelled the Kerala State Electricity Board to resort to power cuts and load shedding.

Against the demand for 3,400 MW, only 3,015 MW is available, senior KSEB official sources told Business Line .

Last year, as against the total demand of 19,000 million units (mus), 7,000 mus were generated from the hydel projects. The balance requirement had to be met from other sources.

Restrictions mulled

A 20 per cent power cut is mulled for industrial consumers as at the existing rates, the Board would be able to provide only 80 per cent of their requirement.

To meet their full requirement, high-cost thermal power from Kayamkulam has to be bought at Rs 11.48 a unit. “This cost will have to be borne by the industrial consumers,” KSEB sources said

Similarly, load shedding imposed on other consumers can also be withdrawn if they are ready to bear the additional cost, the sources added.

An additional 50 MW of power has been allocated from the Central grid to tide over the current situation. Thus, about 1 mus are expected to become available from April 5 at a cost of around Rs 6 - 6.50 a unit, they said.

Water levels

With the present level of water in all the reservoirs at 37.46 per cent of their capacity, 1,551 mus at a daily average of 21 mus could be generated.

To tide over the recurring crisis, KSEB was contemplating to set up of a coal-based 2,400 MW power plant as a joint venture with the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) in northern Kerala at an estimated cost of Rs 12,000 crore. “But that project continues to remain in conceptual stage, and some claim now it is shelved,” the sources said.

One of the major problems faced by the Board is non-availability of transmission corridors.

“The interstate lines to evacuate power from other States are needed at the peak demand period, which is about 3,000 MW, while the capacity of interstate feeder lines is only 1,000 MW,” they added.

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