Moderate monsoon rains last season have placed Kerala's hydel power resources at a comfortable position, helping the State avoid any power cuts and load-shedding this year.

A senior KSEB source told Business Line that the water storage in the reservoirs of the hydro-electric projects as on Wednesday stood at 66.4 per cent. With this 2,749 million units (mus) can be generated. The water storage on this day last year was enough to generate only 1,776 mus.

Besides, there are forecasts on summer rains either in March or April. They could add 60 mus, enabling the KSEB to avoid the purchase of high-cost energy fully this year. The average daily demand in January was at 65 mus and that is likely to cross 70 mus per day during the peak summer months. It is expected to be 66-67 mus next month.

The current requirement is met by generating 16 mus from the hydel projects. Generation by the solar and wind resources come to one mu daily. From the Central grid 28 mus are drawn. The balance 23 mus are brought through interstate purchases, the KSEB official said.

He said the existing hurdle to bring power from outside would be, by and large, removed following the commissioning of the Edamon -Kochi line which is expected before the onset of next southwest monsoon.