Kochi: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has announced that partial power supply restrictions may be enforced across the state today (Tuesday) between 6:45 PM and midnight. The state utility cited severe deficits in procurement through the national power exchange alongside an unstable grid frequency as the main reasons behind the potential cuts. Officials noted, however, that the curbs could be avoided if sufficient electricity becomes available on the exchange during evening hours.

Driven by a deficit in rainfall caused by the El Niño phenomenon and persistently high ambient temperatures, electricity consumption in Kerala remains exceptionally elevated. Looking ahead to October, the state power distribution utility has expressed deep anxiety regarding its ability to secure sufficient energy reserves. Should rainfall remain scarce and temperatures stay elevated, KSEB fears a severe power deficit is inevitable.

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To mitigate the impending crisis, the utility previously floated tenders to purchase 300 MW of power, but managed to procure merely 88 MW. In response, a subsequent tender was issued for 600 MW, but it attracted very few bidders, all offering power at substantially higher rates. These proposed supply agreements have now been submitted to the state regulatory commission for approval.

KSEB routinely plans its long-term power purchase agreements based on an estimated annual growth in consumption of six per cent. However, electricity demand surged by an unprecedented 18 per cent in September. If demand continues to escalate at this rate, the grid management situation could deteriorate further next month.

Additionally, concerns surround the upcoming North-East monsoon, which typically begins in mid-October. Experience shows that El Niño conditions often suppress these seasonal rains in Kerala. Whilst the board currently relies on bilateral swap agreements with other states, officials warn this mechanism cannot continue indefinitely, as returning the borrowed power will create a future shortfall. Reduced demand in Northern India owing to rainfall recently allowed KSEB to secure cheap market power and avoid load shedding for four straight days, but expected clearing weather in the north threatens to eliminate this temporary relief.