CM responds to power cut; criticises previous govt for buying power from Adani at high cost

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister V D Satheesan responded to the frequent power cuts in the state. There is a false campaign against the government over the power crisis. The chief minister explained in the press meet that the present electricity demand is the largest in history.

There was an increase of 1000 MW in consumption compared to last year. Due to the El Nino phenomenon, the rains in the state have decreased. The water in the dam has decreased. The chief minister said the crisis was also caused by the shortage of adequate power available in the national electricity market.

The chief minister also criticized the previous LDF government for cancelling the long-term power purchase agreement signed during the Oommen Chandy government's tenure. After cancelling the contract for getting electricity at a low price, the Left government bought electricity from Adani at a higher price. The cancellation of this contract and the consumption of 1000 MW more than the previous year led to the crisis. The then chief minister and the present opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan has not yet clarified why the contract was cancelled.

All states are buying electricity from the open market. They bought 200 MW. They are trying for something else. They did not buy at a high price. The chief minister also clarified that the government did not adopt an approach of cutting banana trees while the house is on fire.