Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will launch the Pallivasal Extension Scheme, a major hydroelectric project in Idukki district, at 11 am on Thursday. According to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) public relations officer, the chief minister will also officially launch the golden jubilee celebrations of the Idukki hydroelectric project, the state’s biggest power project.
The Pallivasal Extension Scheme is adding 60 megawatts (MW) of capacity to the state’s electricity grid through two 30 MW generators. The expansion, which was designed to utilize surplus water from the original Pallivasal project – Kerala’s first hydroelectric undertaking commissioned in 1940 – is expected to generate 159.30 million units of electricity annually.
Power generation at Pallivasal uses water stored in the Kundala and Mattupetta dams in Munnar. This water is diverted through a 3.5 km tunnel to the power plant where electricity is produced. The total cost of the expansion project is ₹594.37 crore. After its completion, a total of 100 MW of new capacity was integrated into the state electricity sector.
Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty will preside over the function. Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, Idukki MP Dean Kuriakose, MLAs MM Mani and A. Raja and KSEB Chairman Minhaj Alam among others will attend the event.
Published – 11 March 2026 21:15 IST
