Kerala power crisis: KSEB to buy electricity at Rs 30/unit; directors head North to secure supply

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has given the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) permission to purchase electricity at prices of up to Rs 30 per unit to avoid imposing power restrictions amid the ongoing shortage.

KSEB is expected to begin purchasing additional power from Monday. At present, the Electricity Regulatory Commission has permitted the board to purchase power at a maximum price of Rs 10 per unit.

However, given the emergency situation, KSEB decided to procure electricity at higher rates with the government's approval. The board had written to the government, pointing out that several states were addressing similar power shortages by purchasing electricity at significantly higher prices.

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The decision was taken following discussions between Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph and KSEB Chairman M.G. Rajamanickam, with the aim of avoiding power restrictions at any cost.

KSEB will purchase 300 MW from NTPC's Ratnagiri power plant at Rs 30 per unit until September 30. Additionally, a verbal agreement has been reached to purchase 150 MW each from Odisha and the Nuclear Power Corporation.

Power from Odisha will cost Rs 10 per unit, while the price of electricity from the Nuclear Power Corporation will be decided when the supply is approved.

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With an additional 600 MW expected from these sources, KSEB believes it can avoid imposing power restrictions. At present, power cuts are being reported as many as three times during the night in several areas.

In addition, three KSEB directors will travel to northern India on Monday to hold direct discussions with distribution companies in Bihar, Maharashtra, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh and explore the possibility of purchasing as much additional electricity as available.