KSEB explores power purchase from more companies amid rising demand

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is holding discussions to purchase power from more companies. In addition to the electricity available in recent days, the KSEB will purchase 200 MW of power from a private power generation company from September 21. The price has been fixed at Rs 11 per unit.

Given the current emergency situation, the government is expected to give its approval soon, following which the KSEB will sign an agreement for the purchase. The Regulatory Commission has currently permitted the KSEB to purchase power at a rate of up to Rs 10 per unit. The government has directed the KSEB to explore all possible options to secure as much electricity as possible and avoid power cuts.

Meanwhile, a KSEB team visited a thermal power plant in Nashik, Maharashtra, jointly operated by NTPC and the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MAHAGENCO), on Friday. The company has informed the KSEB that it can supply power from January at a rate of less than Rs 5.50 per unit. The KSEB will also examine the possibility of entering into a long-term agreement at this rate.

The KSEB had recently signed a 25-year long-term agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India for 300 MW of power. However, electricity under this agreement will be available only from 2028. If an agreement is signed with MAHAGENCO, it is expected to be a major benefit for the state during the summer.

Peak power consumption crosses 5,300 MW

The state is witnessing electricity consumption levels similar to those seen during severe summer conditions. Peak power consumption on Thursday stood at 5,305 MW, the highest recorded this month. The peak consumption during the same period last year was 4,454 MW. Daily power consumption has also reached close to 100 million units. Consumption on Thursday stood at 99.92 million units, which is 10 million units higher than the figure recorded during the same period last year.