The State Government is apprehensive it would be forced to declare load-shedding or power cut going into the next month.

It is waiting the SSLS examination to conclude before taking a decision, according to Mr Aryadan Mohammed, Minister for Power.

The worry is when donor States would choose to pull the plug buckling under demand pressure back home, the Minister told the State Assembly on Friday.

Other States in the South are already reeling under a power cut or load-shedding. Kerala has been fighting hard to avert such a situation.

But it may not be able to pull on in this manner for long, given the mounting demand-supply mismatch.

The State Government is weighing various options, including imposing a surcharge of 20 paise a unit from April 1.

It would either have to take a hit on its books or pass the burden on to the consumer. No decision has been made so far, the Minister said.

On the brighter side, the Minister said the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has managed to cut down transmission loss significantly in recent times.

This loss has come down from 22 per cent in 2006 to 15 per cent in 2012, which is the lowest in the country.

The Minister also referred to some initiatives in generating new sources of alternative and renewable energy.

Efforts in this area are mainly being led by Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (Anert), an autonomous body.

SOLAR INITIATIVE

Anert has planned to set up biogas units in 200 houses with equal contributions of the Central and State governments as well as beneficiaries.

Solar power is another area where the State is witnessing a major initiative, again spearheaded by Anert.

It is looking at rooftop solar photovoltaic power plants as an alternative source of energy.

Ten thousand solar power plants of 1 kW capacity each (totalling 10 MW) would be installed as grid-tied power plants.

>vinson@thehindu.co.in