Brace for impact: Electricity bills set to soar; KSEB authorised to buy high-cost power

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Residents are facing a double blow as scorching daytime temperatures are followed by unannounced nighttime power cuts. With the state's power crisis worsening, the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission has authorised KSEB to purchase 250 MW of electricity from the term-ahead market at rates up to ₹10 per unit through May 15.

The current crisis stems from a perfect storm: record-breaking peak consumption paired with a significant dip in electricity imports from outside the state.

• Unofficial cut: While KSEB has not officially declared "load shedding," urban areas are experiencing power outages lasting up to 30 minutes during the night.
• Terminology: KSEB officials have labelled these interruptions as "load restrictions" rather than load shedding—a distinction that offers little comfort to citizens struggling to sleep in the heat.

Impact on consumer bills

The financial burden of these high-cost emergency purchases will fall directly on the public. Recent policy changes have cleared the way for significant price hikes:

• Unlimited Surcharge: Previously, the Regulatory Commission capped additional electricity purchase surcharges at 10 paise per unit.
• New Reality: This limit has recently been lifted. KSEB can now pass on the full liability of these expensive purchases to consumers through uncapped surcharges, leading to a visible spike in upcoming monthly bills.