Power tariffs to rise during peak night hours, drop during day time, says power minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Power Minister K Krishnankutty said discussions on setting up a nuclear power plant in Kerala have not yet started. While talking to a media, he said that it was a matter of policy and a decision would be taken only after further discussions.

The minister said the officials went to Kalpakkam to study how the thorium-based generator works. All we did was discuss the purchase of nuclear power. The other is policy matters. Something can be decided only on the basis of extensive discussions. For the time being, we are planning to use thorium rather than nuclear power plant.

The minister clarified that there is a plan to increase power tariffs during the peak hours of night time. He said there are also plans to reduce fares during the day.
The minister added that even if we set up a nuclear power plant outside Kerala, we will get electricity share.

There were reports earlier that the energy department and KSEB have started efforts to set up the first nuclear power plant in Kerala. There were reports that the KSEB chairman and his team held the first round of talks with the Nuclear Power Corporation on July 15 in Mumbai. It was reported that KSEB Chairman Biju Prabhakar said Athirappilly and Chimeni are being considered.