KSEB is ‘working hard’ to solve power shortage, says Kerala Electricity Minister

image file | Photo credit: The Hindu

Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph on Friday said that the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is “working hard” to eliminate the power shortage in the state and that the opposition should not blame the current UDF government as blackouts during the LDF tenure also contributed to the current situation.

Speaking to reporters in Kochi, Mr. Joseph said the state was facing severe power shortage as electricity demand had increased by over 1,000 MW compared to the same period last year, while power generation had declined.

He said there are situations where power restrictions need to be enforced more than once.

Mr. Joseph said he held a special discussion with the KSEB chairman and board members on the crisis.

“It is not enough to adjust the blackout schedules for only one time period because there is a serious power shortage. There is an additional demand of more than 1,000 MW compared to the same period last year. That is the main problem,” he said.

Consumption up

Mr. Joseph said the increased use of air conditioners and fans, along with the growing number of electric vehicles, contributed to the increase in consumption.

The peak also shifted to late at night as people charged their electric vehicles after returning from work and other activities, he said.

“Consumption has gone up while production has gone down. There is also a shortage of coal and that’s why we along with all other states have received a letter from the central government in this regard,” the minister said.

He said the state could not immediately enter into long-term power purchase contracts because such contracts require tenders, participation by authorized suppliers, regulatory approvals and several months to complete.

KSEB also failed to provide sufficient strength through short-term purchases in the intraday and real-time markets, he said.

“There is no availability in these markets either. As power generation has fallen and demand has surged across the country, supply has fallen. According to supply and demand theory, when demand rises and supply falls, prices skyrocket,” Mr Joseph said.

He said electricity is available at lower rates during the day due to solar generation, but the state currently does not have adequate infrastructure to store solar energy for use at night.

Projects are underway to set up energy storage facilities at Mylatti and Mulleria in Kasaragod, Sreekandapuram in Kannur, Pothencode in Thiruvananthapuram and Areekode in Malappuram, he said.

“Work on the 500 MW Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project at Brahmapuram in Ernakulam district would begin once the land is cleared,” said Mr. Joseph.

He said the state generated only about 25% of its electricity requirement internally and had not been able to launch a major power project since the Idukki project. “Hydropower is our primary resource, but we are unable to start new hydropower projects,” he said.

Mr. Joseph said the state was also facing difficulties in implementing nuclear power projects, despite suggestions from the Center to explore the option.

Published – 11 Sep 2026 12:06 IST