Gruelling summer ahead for Malayalees; Unannounced load shedding to start between 6 pm and 2 am

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Despite the State Electricity Regulatory Commission giving last-minute permission to buy electricity at a higher price, unannounced load shedding is certain in the state, considering the delay in obtaining the electricity. However, there will be no official announcement of load shedding from the board or the government.

Since the water level in the dams is low, it is nearly impossible to avoid load shedding.

Christening it as a peak load management measure or load restriction, power will be cut for 10 to 30 minutes between 6 pm and 2 am. No advance notice will be given. As consumption increases, the power will suddenly go out. An attempt will be made to inform via SMS. KSEB says that if people reduce their consumption during night hours, the power cut can be avoided. The distribution system is not being upgraded in proportion to the increase in electricity consumption, which is also causing a crisis in the summer. Feeders are dripping, and transformers are not functioning due to the inability to support consumption, which is affecting the distribution. The current daily consumption is 115 million units.

Due to the delay in getting permission to buy 250 MW of electricity at a high price, registration in the day-ahead electricity market was also delayed. Since it is a computer-controlled allotment, priority conditions are met, and it will be available only if requested. For example, if Tamil Nadu requests it for agricultural purposes, they will get priority. It will take days for Kerala to get its electricity.

With the onset of summer, electricity consumption across the country has increased sharply. Last year, the consumption in April was 249 GW. This year, it has reached 252 GW.

India produces 525 GW of electricity. Of this, 271 GW is given to the states. The rest is for industrial use.

The state is facing a power shortage after the Regulatory Commission cancelled the long-term 465 MW power contract. The short-term contract was not successful enough. The swap contract was relied on to overcome the summer crisis. In April, its availability decreased while consumption increased more than expected, resulting in a 600 MW deficit.