Thiruvananthapuram: Electricity consumption in Kerala continues to surge past all previous records, with usage reaching 11.62 crore units on Friday and peak nighttime demand climbing to an unprecedented 6,013 MW. In response to this historic strain on the grid, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has approached the Regulatory Commission to request permission to procure electricity at rates of up to ₹10 per unit to ensure an uninterrupted supply across the state.

KSEB anticipates that the current heatwave will keep demand at these elevated levels until at least mid-May. Because internal generation and existing long-term contracts are no longer sufficient to meet the state's needs, the board must rely on the power exchange for emergency supplies. While the Regulatory Commission previously capped purchase prices at an average of ₹7.35 per unit to prevent a financial crisis, KSEB argues that current market conditions necessitate a higher limit. The board is specifically seeking to procure 250 MW of additional power between mid-April and mid-May.

Due to a lack of availability in the standard Day-Ahead Market, KSEB has also requested permission to operate within the Term-Ahead Market, which allows for procurement over a 30-day window. The Regulatory Commission is set to conduct a hearing regarding this application on the 22nd. To address concerns over rising costs, KSEB has informed the Commission that two committees led by high-ranking officials have been established to strictly monitor demand and manage procurement expenses.