Kerala power crisis likely to ease within a week, says CM V D Satheesan

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan said on Wednesday that the state's power crisis is expected to ease within a week as the government explores multiple options to secure additional electricity.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Satheesan said the government was in talks with several states and power companies to purchase electricity from available sources.

He said the government would prepare a power supply plan covering the period from October 1 until the next monsoon. A revised power policy will also be formulated.

According to Satheesan, several factors have contributed to the current crisis, including rising electricity consumption, higher demand at night, the lack of storage facilities for solar power, inadequate rainfall and rising temperatures.

The government is also negotiating long-term power purchase agreements. However, Satheesan said Kerala would not purchase electricity at Rs 30 per unit when the state's existing ceiling is Rs 10 per unit.

He said the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) had demanded Rs 30 per unit.

Satheesan said private companies involved in renewable energy would be encouraged to invest in Kerala. However, he ruled out any plan to privatise the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).

The state has been facing power restrictions, particularly during the night, amid high temperatures and a shortage of rainfall following a weak monsoon. The power shortage has been exacerbated by increased demand during peak hours.