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4 clusters · 7 sources · 29 days · First seen · Last updated

Kerala electricity supply and demand crisis

Overview

Kerala’s power crisis has intensified as extreme heat and supply failures drive electricity demand to record levels. Temperatures remaining 3 to 4 degrees Celsius above normal have pushed peak-hour demand up by as much as 800 MW. To manage shortages, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has implemented power restrictions of up to one hour in some areas, with warnings of further load shedding between 6:00 pm and midnight if grid frequency and exchange availability continue to decline. Recent developments show demand reaching 5,200 MW, a significant increase from the 4,000 MW recorded during the same period last year. Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph noted that the state generates only approximately 25% of its required electricity, leaving it heavily dependent on the central grid and external agreements. This dependency has become a vulnerability; for instance, the state has failed to receive contracted power from Madhya Pradesh, as delivery is contingent upon that state maintaining a surplus. Compounding the issue, reduced rainfall has lowered reservoir inflows, negatively impacting hydel generation. While KSEB has proposed restrictions of up to 75 minutes per day through multiple rounds of cuts, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission has rejected proposals to purchase power at higher rates, arguing such agreements would not sufficiently address nighttime shortages. These local challenges occur against a backdrop of a 12,000 MW national electricity shortage reported by the Grid Controller of India. To mitigate these shortages, KSEB has secured a power supply agreement with the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB). Under this deal, HPSEB will supply 600 MW of power during peak hours from October 1, 2026, through May 31, 2027. KSEB Chairman M G Rajamanickam stated the decision followed unsuccessful attempts to maintain short-term supplies from Bihar and Andhra Pradesh.

Entities

Kerala State Electricity Board · Kerala · Grid Controller of India · V D Satheesan · Madhya Pradesh

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    KSEB secures 600 MW from Himachal Pradesh to ease power shortage

    KSEB has secured 600 MW of peak-hour power from Himachal Pradesh until May 2027 to address electricity shortages and potential drought-related crises in Kerala.

  2. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Kerala faces electricity crisis as power demand surges

    Kerala faces worsening power shortages as peak demand rises and hydel generation falls. Potential daily outages could reach 75 minutes as the state struggles with high temperatures and external supply issues.

  3. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Kerala faces power crisis as heatwave drives electricity demand

    A heatwave in Kerala has caused electricity demand to surge by up to 800 MW, leading the KSEB to implement power restrictions amid a broader national electricity shortage.

  4. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    KSEB faces power shortages and regulatory scrutiny over high costs

    KSEB faces potential power restrictions in Kerala due to rising peak demand and a national electricity shortage, while regulators scrutinize the utility's heavy spending on costly short-term power.

Sources

cdeacf.ca · countryski.com · deccanchronicle.com · english.mathrubhumi.com · madhyamamonline.com · newindianexpress.com · socialnews.xyz

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history