Representative image | Photo: Mathrubhumi
Kozhikode: Ending all speculations of a possible power cut in the state after reports emerged of coal shortage in India, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has informed that consumption of power has gone down drastically in the continuing rain and power cut is not at all necessary now.
The average power requirements of Kerala per day is 3700MW; of which 600MW is purchased from thermal plants in other states and Centre provides 1200MW. A total of 1600MW is produced from our hydro-electric power plants. In total, we get 3400MW power against the need of 3700MW. The shortage of 300MW is managed by KSEB.
However, the engineers say this shortage has nothing to do with the current national crisis. “In fact, this shortage has been there for months now and not an issue to be highlighted like this amid the reports of a crisis. We have 83 percent water in all our dams. By hiking production, we can easily manage it. After all, we have a stock of power to run for many more days. By October 20, Moolamattam generator will become operational after maintenance with a production capacity of 130MW. Nearly 20 mini projects are on the verge of commissioning and it will boost production by nearly 200MW. We have a thermal plant in Kayamkulam that can also be operated in case of an emergency production,” said an official of KSEB.
In extreme cases, KSEB buys electricity from power exchange at a price of Rs20 per unit. “It is little costly and we don’t have to go for it in the present situation. The Kayamkulam thermal plant, that runs on Nafta, can be made operational before going for it.”
“From Koodamkulam, we are supposed to get 266MW electricity per day. However, we have not got the agreed quantity for the last few months due to some issues. Very soon we will continue getting the exact quantity of power and it will land us in a safer position.”
“We have nearly a hundred generators producing electricity relentlessly at our 47 hydro-electric projects across the state. Usually, we spare one generator at every plant for routine maintenance and it can be avoided. In crisis we have a number of options to meet our needs.”
"There are around 107 new hydro-electric projects, including Athirappally project, on the anvil. Once at least a half-of-these become operational, we will export electricity. In fact, we are steadily progressing in the energy sector. We produce electricity to meet 40 percent of our needs. It was just 30 percent a few years ago. The day we achieve 100 percent production is not a distant dream or far away.”
KSEB had already ruled out the possibility of power cut in the state. With the continuing rain, the need for power cuts has become a closed chapter.
RELATED STORIES
.jpg?$p=a80322e&f=1x1&w=100&q=0.8)
.jpg?$p=8a7b7b1&f=1x1&w=100&q=0.8)
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
.jpg?$p=11c1bb2&f=1x1&w=100&q=0.8)
.jpg?$p=298ab5c&f=1x1&w=100&q=0.8)
.jpg?$p=298ab5c&q=0.8&f=16x11&w=104)
.jpg?$p=11c1bb2&q=0.8&f=16x11&w=104)
