THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If there is no rain, there will be power control in the state after Onam. Issues including power cut were considered in a high-level committee meeting held yesterday to discuss the current power crisis. A further discussion will be held on 21st in the presence of the Chief Secretary. It was decided not to impose a power cut immediately since it is the Onam season.
Due to lack of rain, there is no water in the dams of the hydroelectric generating stations. All the dams together have 37 percent water. Idukki, the largest dam, has only 32 percent water of the total capacity. 1531 million units of electricity can be generated using all this. At the same time last year, there was 3425 million units of water. Rainfall is 90 percent less in August alone. With this, much water flow cannot be expected in the coming months.
Meanwhile, due to lack of rain, electricity consumption is soaring. Yesterday's consumption was 80.90 million units. It was 56 million units at the same time last year. Of this, only 25 million are purchased from the central grid. Due to the economic crisis, hydropower production was increased to 19 million units, yet 31 million units need to be purchased. There are no signs of rain in the coming months.
Due to the cancellation of long-term contracts, the state has a shortage of 450 MW of electricity and 200 MW is available on a temporary basis from this. Tenders have been called for the short-term contract, but the process can begin only on September 2. Due to a shortage of coal, 100 MW is not available in the current contract and a total power deficit of 500 MW is being faced because of this. Electricity is being purchased from the open exchange at a high cost to solve this issue but this bill will have to be settled immediately. Around 15 crore rupees per day will have to be found for this purpose. KSEB cannot afford that and that is why they had to think about power cuts. The power cut will continue until getting electricity on short-term contracts or it rains.
Although the Regulatory Commission is ready to increase the KSEB electricity tariff, the High Court has stayed it. While the central government has given permission to increase the cess, the Regulatory Commission does not allow the increase to go beyond 10 paise per unit.
Crisis: Other causes