Mumbai, July 21 -- Keralam's minister for electricity said it was not possible to predict how long the current power crisis would continue, citing a sharp rise in electricity consumption and a decline in reservoir water levels to 28 per cent. He indicated that the state leadership was examining legal options to restore long-term power purchase agreements to secure supply and was repaying power borrowed from other states during the shortage. The minister framed the situation as uncertain and contingent on demand and hydrological conditions.
Officials added that the government was seeking additional electricity through short-term contracts despite higher anticipated costs and had sought permission from the Electricity Regulatory Commission to proceed. The state was prepared to incur elevated procurement costs to stabilise supply in the near term. Authorities characterised these moves as necessary contingency measures.
The developments come amid rising demand and sharply reduced reservoir storage, a chief source for the state's hydropower generation. Reduced inflows have constrained domestic output and complicated planning for supply adequacy.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Keralam attributed the shortage to planning failures by the state administration, saying widespread load shedding had returned after a decade. The party noted that expected rainfall failed to materialise, borrowed power had to be returned and availability in power exchanges had declined. It also cited water storage in Kerala State Electricity Board dams at 28 per cent and domestic generation at 24 million units (mn units) against consumption of 86.46 mn units.
Party sources added that the state was managing the gap through central allocations and costly power purchase agreements. Officials said efforts to secure contracts, legal remedies and repayment of borrowed energy were underway, while the duration of the crisis remained uncertain.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.