Costly power purchases to burden consumers; KSEB steps up efforts to secure power

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cost of purchasing electricity at high prices to tide over the power crisis will eventually be borne by consumers, both now and in the future. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) may have to impose a surcharge or increase electricity tariffs to make up for the losses incurred by the board. Alternatively, the government may have to take over the additional financial burden, which would ultimately have to be borne by the public.

The KSEB and the government are knocking on every possible door to resolve the state’s power crisis. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has directed Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph and KSEB CMD Rajamanickam to take all possible measures to avoid a situation in which power cuts of up to an hour could become an issue of government failure. Following the directive, the authorities are in continuous contact with the Union Ministry of Power and power-generating companies.

A proposal was received the other day to purchase electricity from NTPC’s LNG-based plant at Ratnagiri in Maharashtra at a rate of up to ₹30 per unit. However, no decision has been taken on the proposal yet. As LNG is expensive, the electricity generated at the plant also comes at a higher cost. Power from the Ratnagiri plant can be obtained if the requirement is communicated up to three hours in advance.

Discussions to secure additional power will begin in northern states tomorrow under the leadership of KSEB directors. The board will also explain Kerala’s situation to officials of the Central Electricity Authority and seek a larger share of power.

Power cuts continue

Statewide power cuts were required today as well. However, no restrictions were imposed on Sunday as consumption was lower and the required power was available.

The 200 MW that Kerala was due to receive from Madhya Pradesh through a power-swap arrangement was not received today. Although an additional 90 MW was secured, including from Odisha, there was still a shortage of power to meet peak-hour demand.

Power cuts were imposed today from 6.15 p.m. to 12.45 a.m.

‘Not looking at the money’

“We are not looking at the money at present. What we need now is power,” said Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph.

He said the government was not currently concerned about the excessive burden of purchasing electricity. The government would examine the situation, he said. The issue of how to manage the financial liability would be discussed, including by the Cabinet, he added.