Load shedding may continue until October; electricity bills to rise in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Consumers in Kerala may have to face load shedding this month and higher electricity bills from next month. To avoid a severe power crisis, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is spending between Rs 10 crore and Rs 15 crore a day to purchase electricity from outside the state. The additional cost will be passed on to consumers as a surcharge on their electricity bills. The surcharge is expected to increase by 15 to 21 paise per unit. At present, consumers pay a surcharge of three paise per unit.

The Regulatory Commission had earlier capped the monthly surcharge at 10 paise per unit to reduce the additional burden on consumers caused by the purchase of electricity at higher rates. However, the cap was removed following a recommendation from the previous government. As a result, the surcharge could rise in line with the additional burden incurred by KSEB.

Higher purchase cost, higher burden on consumers

1. The Regulatory Commission has approved Rs 12,500 crore as the electricity purchase cost for this year. Any amount spent above this will be recovered from consumers as a surcharge in the corresponding month.
2. KSEB plans to purchase 85 crore units of electricity from September to March at an estimated cost of Rs 750 crore.
3. Permission has so far been granted to purchase electricity worth Rs 347 crore. The average cost is Rs 10.40 per unit, while the price approved by the commission is Rs 4.90 per unit.

Load shedding to continue until October

Although the Regulatory Commission has approved the purchase of electricity at higher rates, supplies are expected to begin only in October. Therefore, the load-shedding measures are likely to continue into October.

The country is facing a shortage of electricity due to a shortage of coal, making it difficult to purchase power from outside. There is currently a power deficit of 12,000 MW across the country. Power generation at 59 thermal power plants is already at minimal levels and could stop completely within the next three days. This could further deepen the power crisis.

• 96.39 million units: Electricity consumed in the state yesterday
• 27.33 million units: Electricity generated within the state
• 69.06 million units: Electricity received from outside the state