THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSEB, which has been incurring continuous losses for the last ten years, has made an operating profit of Rs 600 crore. Professional excellence and technical superiority helped the company reap profit for the financial year which ended on March 31. This is a proud achievement for Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty and KSEB Chairman Dr B Ashok, who have been accused of creating constant conflict with the workers' unions during their one year in office.
Chairman B Ashok said that KSEB was able to achieve this feat by managing water in reservoirs in a better way, planning hydropower generation, generating revenue by surrendering surplus power in exchange and obtaining a grant of Rs 800 crore from the Centre.
During the normal monsoon season, water to produce 700 crore units of electricity will be stored. This time, the storage was increased so that 900 crore units can be produced. The cheap electricity generated in this way was sold at huge prices during the period when the country experienced a shortage of coal. The state also purchased electricity from the Centre for a cheap rate and thus managed to earn up to Rs 1000 crore. Ashok said the reduction in supply losses and proper collection of arrears also improved the economic situation of the board.
Losses in previous years (in crores)
Profit for 2022- Rs 600 crore
Production capacity increased
Domestic power generation increased by 105.077 MW within the last one year. The construction of the 40 MW Idukki Mankulam Hydropower Project began after a decade. 4909 solar power plants with a capacity of 26.8 MW have also been set up.