Load-shedding days are back; KSEB's summer miscalculation proves costly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Electricity Board’s error in assessing electricity consumption during the summer has now turned into a bane for Kerala. Night-time load shedding has been officially introduced in the state. KSEB had earlier calculated that the peak hour demand would not exceed 6,000 MW this summer. However, the demand reached 6,195 MW. There was also an error in calculating the availability of summer rains.

The decision to implement the power cut was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Additional Chief Secretary of the Energy Department Puneet Kumar yesterday, which was also attended by KSEB CMD Minhaj Alam. The Load-shedding will continue until the power crisis is resolved. The decision to introduce a power cut during the extreme heat has led to protests.

Another crisis looms as the state buys more than 70% of its electricity requirement from outside. However, the meeting assessed that the 200 MW shortfall from the central grid was resolved by yesterday evening. For the first time in history, electricity consumption had reached 6,033 MW.

At 10.30 pm on April 23, the consumption reached 6,195 MW. This is much higher than the annual average. Charging electric vehicles after 6 pm, using AC, and using induction cookers have contributed to the trouble.

The failure to provide electricity in place of the 465 MW long-term contract cancelled by the Regulatory Commission also proved costly. There was also a delay in obtaining permission to purchase additional electricity due to rising consumption. The necessary swap agreement could not be signed. The unexpected reduction of 200 MW from the central grid was also a setback. Although the state has 2250 MW of solar power, there is no battery system to store it. Although it was decided last June to build a battery storage at a cost of Rs 550 crore with central assistance, the construction only began in February this year.