Ageing and malfunctions: Concerns about electricity crisis; hydropower growing weak

Sunday 04 May, 2025 | 12:16 AM READ MALAYALAM VERSION

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There are concerns that there will be a power crisis due to the aging and malfunctioning of hydropower projects.

Load shedding had to be imposed in the Malabar region for three days last week after the production at Kakkayam stopped due to a leak in the penstock. There was a shortage of 150 MW. The production stopped after the spherical valve in the number three generator at Moolamattam broke down two weeks ago.

The current situation is that Kerala will be in darkness if there is a crisis in the thermal power plants in North India. According to the central government's standards, the lifespan of a hydroelectric plant is 35 years. The first project in the state, Pallivasal, has completed 81 years. The largest project, Idukki, has completed 45 years. About Rs 100 crore is required to carry out renovation, maintenance and capacity expansion every 30 years.

KSEB is unable to find money for this. The challenge of unavailability of machine parts is also present.

Production partial even in Idukki

Only four of the six generators in Idukki, the state's largest hydro project, which was started in 1976, are operational. The last renovation was carried out in 2009. Even then, not all the generators are operational. KSEB says that spare parts are not available. Sabarigiri was started in 1966. Although it was renovated in 2009, it is not fully operational. Disruptions are common. Although the new plant in Idukki has been approved in principle, there has been no progress in three years. Domestic production depends on solar power plants.

1600 MW in hydro projects

18 small projects