Kerala considers setting up out-of-state coal plant to tackle power crisis

IDUKKI: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that Kerala is exploring the possibility of establishing a coal-based power plant in another state to address its growing power demands. Speaking at the inauguration of the Thottiyar Hydropower Project, Vijayan highlighted the state’s urgent need for reliable energy sources and the practical challenges of setting up a coal plant within Kerala.

“The plan is to install thermal power capacity in a state where coal is readily available, as discussed with the Prime Minister. The central government has assured support for coal and other resources if we go forward with this initiative,” said the Chief Minister. He acknowledged the logistical and environmental difficulties involved in bringing coal to Kerala and emphasized that importing electricity would be far less complex.

The 40 MW Thottiyar Hydropower Project, KSEB’s 43rd such project, adds a significant boost to the state's power generation capacity, delivering 99 million units annually. Thottiyar marks the first megawatt-scale hydroelectric project completed by KSEB in over 15 years, at a construction cost of Rs 188 crore. Although work on the project originally began in 2009, technical setbacks delayed its completion until construction resumed in 2018 under the first Pinarayi Vijayan government.

Kerala’s daily electricity consumption currently ranges between 4500 to 5000 MW, reaching a peak of over 5700 MW last summer. With the state’s energy demand steadily rising, the administration aims to supply 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2027 and achieve complete renewable dependency by 2040.