KOCHI: The government's energy policy is to increase domestic production and reduce transmission losses, electricity minister MM Mani said. The minister was inaugurating the first 220 KV substation using gas-insulated switchgear technology at Kaloor, Ernakulam. The Transgrid 2.0 project is being implemented through KIFB to build a transmission network for uninterrupted power supply for the next 25 years, he said.

New hydropower plants cannot be installed. The construction projects will be completed soon and a second plant will be set up at Idukki. The feasibility study of the second plant is underway. The target is to generate 1000 MW of electricity by installing solar power plants on wastelands, dams (floating plants) and rooftops. Private individuals can also participate in the project. If electricity is generated at one's own expense, it will be acquired at a price.