Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is preparing to buy more electricity from outside sources due to an expected power shortage between September and May.

The board has asked the Regulatory Commission for approval of short-term power purchase deals, and the commission has already collected evidence on the matter.

Companies are quoting prices between Rs 4.39 and Rs 9.50 per unit. If electricity is bought at higher rates, the cost may be passed on to consumers. The central government has set Rs 10 as the maximum price per unit through the power exchange.

KSEB expects a shortage of 20 lakh units during night hours in September and has requested approval to sign a contract at Rs 9.20 per unit to cover this.

The contracts are based on an estimated five per cent rise in electricity use this year. But due to ongoing rain, the actual increase so far is less than two per cent.

The India Meteorological Department has predicted an active monsoon in the coming months as well. Given this, the commission has questioned whether buying such large amounts of electricity is necessary and has asked KSEB to provide details of the total financial burden these contracts would bring.

The commission has also raised concerns about the rising cost of electricity and the need to purchase at high prices. A decision on the contracts is expected soon.

KSEB has been relying more on expensive short-term contracts after the commission cancelled some long-term contracts that offered lower prices due to regulatory violations.

Electricity purchases are also planned during the daytime in November, December, March, April, and May. Since the Moolamattom Power Station will be closed for maintenance in November and December, an extra daytime supply will be needed. The commission has also been informed that the daytime shortfall in March and April ranges from 400 to 800 MW.