Strong summer rains cool state's power demand

THODUPUZHA: Amidst the EV boom and the surge in air conditioning usage, electricity consumption in the state surprisingly remained lower compared to the previous year. The wow factor is the summer rains, which were twice as much as expected. Despite the torturous heat, the afternoons in the recent past saw dark clouds enveloping skies, resulting in sudden downpours. This has considerably brought down the electricity consumption.

Electricity consumption on Thursday in Kerala was 95.1538 million units. Of these, 73.513 million units were purchased from outside. 21.6408 million units were domestically produced. 8.74 million units were from the Idukki Hydropower Project, and 3.1125 million units were from the Sabarigiri Project. Idukki, which used to generate over 10 million units per day during the summer, is now generating less than six million units. All six generators are currently operational. The water level in the state's dams is three percent higher than last year.

The state's record electricity consumption was on May 3 last year - 115.948 million units. The highest electricity consumption this summer is 98.565 million units. Kerala has received twice the normal amount of summer rainfall this year. It has received 124 mm of rainfall from March 1 to April 10. This is double the expected rainfall of 63.2 mm.

Pathanamthitta district received the most rainfall - 216.1 mm. Kannur district received more rainfall compared to previous years receiving 95 mm instead of 26.2 mm. Kasaragod received the least - 35.6 mm. The low pressure formed in the Bay of Bengal has weakened, but the rains are expected to continue.