Future of stalled hydropower projects and solar energy

Our electricity consumption can't be expected to decrease any more than to increase sharply year by year. We are not generating enough electricity for the state. It is surprising that the State Electricity Board still does not feel the need to use the resources for more power generation, and thereby control the excess expenditure from the exchequer, other than the easy method of buying the additional power needed from outside. There is a simple reason for that. The additional cost of having to buy power from outside at a high price has been imposed by the board from time to time on the shoulders of the consumers. As electricity is a commodity that cannot be avoided, we continue to pay additional amount on the bills bearing all the shocks!

Hydropower is our main source of electricity. It is also the cheapest method of conventional power generation methods. However, natural and environmental reasons do not allow us to build new dams or start new production centres for such projects. Meanwhile, we had published the news yesterday that 128 hydropower projects are stalled in the state. The major projects like Pallivasal, Thottiyar, Mankulam etc. have a total generating capacity of 778 MW. We must remember that we are generating only 1400 MW from current hydropower projects and non-conventional sources like solar and wind. Our daily electricity consumption this summer is over 5000 MW! 1600 MW will be available from the central grid at a low cost. 1300 crore through short-term and long-term contracts. Rest will be bought at a high price. We are spending between Rs 65 crore to Rs 140 crore per month to buy electricity from outside like this!

128 hydropower projects, on which crores of rupees have been spent and are in various stages of construction are standing idly by, when this expensive reality is standing in front of the eyes. According to a study report, 1500 MW can be produced if solar power plants can be installed in at least one-fourth of the total number of houses in the state. KSEB also knows all these figures but is not interested. All the countries are trying to get rid of traditional methods by utilizing solar energy. The sun doesn't need to be taxed to provide energy! The paradox of setting a low rate for solar electricity generated at home to be given to the electricity board and a high rate for the board's electricity used at home is happening when this is the case.

It is the same KSEB that constantly advises consumers to use more non-conventional energy sources and not to waste electricity, which is giving the consumers who generate solar energy a blow in the dark. If the stalled hydropower projects are completed on time, solar power production is increased by putting aside scams, and maximum incentives and profits are given to those who are willing to do so, we will have to buy very little electricity from outside. It can also end the practice of overcharging and burdening users with that responsibility.