THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSEB will set up 1263 charging stations soon with the expectation that there will be one lakh electric vehicles in Kerala in two years, KSEB chairman Dr B Ashok said in a press conference.

"Construction of 62 car charging stations and 1150 two-wheeler and three-wheeler charging stations is in progress. 11 fast-charging stations are set up. 51 will be completed this month. All these stations are on KSEB land. KSEB is ready to set up charging points at government institutions if space is available", he said.

KSEB chairman recommended to the government to start PPP model charging stations with the cooperation of private entrepreneurs.

There are currently 13,000 electric vehicles in the state. Within two years, autorickshaws will be to electric vehicles en masse. Government vehicles will also be converted to electricity within the next five years. At this stage, 30 percent of the total electricity turnover will come from the transport sector. At present, electric vehicles are more expensive than others, but are expected to become cheaper in the coming years.

21,000 applicants still have a chance to enroll in the solar project

"21 MW generation capacity was achieved as part of the rooftop solar project. It will have a generating capacity of 115 MW by June. 21,000 applicants still can apply to the subsidized solar scheme. The tender for the implementation of 100 MW wind power projects in Idukki and Palakkad districts will be opened next week. Floating solar plants with a capacity of 100 MW will be set up at nine dams. A system called 'Battery Energy Storage System' will be implemented to store power from such non-conventional power sources during low power consumption and supply it to the grid during peak usage. The projects would have Rs 700 crore through private investments", B Ashok said.