Thiruvananthapuram | Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph on Friday said the government was exploring all possible options to overcome the power shortage in Keralam amid a sharp rise in electricity consumption, adding that efforts were underway to procure power at lower rates.
Speaking to reporters, Joseph said the state was currently purchasing electricity at high prices from Himachal Pradesh and was examining ways to reduce the cost, particularly if power had to be procured through long-term arrangements.
"The difficulty is that we have to pay a higher price for electricity. We are examining how we can get it at a lower rate. We are all making efforts to reduce the cost, especially when it comes to long-term procurement. The chief minister is also intervening in the matter. We hope to find a solution," he said.
He said the government was exploring sources beyond Himachal Pradesh from which it had recently procured power for a month.
Joseph said the government was actively monitoring the situation and had held discussions with the chief minister, chief secretary and power Secretary on the issue.
Responding to questions about the reasons for the power shortage, he said electricity consumption in the state had increased sharply, while generation had not kept pace with the rising demand.
"One reality is that our consumption has increased extraordinarily. The demand projections made earlier were around 4,200 MW, but consumption has crossed 5,200 MW and is touching 6,000 MW," he said.
The increased use of air conditioners and electric vehicles had contributed to the rise in consumption, he said, adding that an engineer had told him that around five crore air conditioners could be sold in the state this year.
Joseph also pointed to the loss of a long-term power purchase agreement, saying the matter was pending before the Supreme Court.
An application seeking an early hearing has been filed in December, and the case was expected to come up for hearing that month, he said.
The minister said the government made several attempts to secure alternative power purchase agreements through tenders, but had not received favourable responses.
He described the issue as affecting the national power sector, not just Keralam.
He said he met the Union Power Minister twice to apprise him of the state's requirements, while the chief minister had also contacted the Union Minister.
The state's representatives had taken up the matter with the Centre, he added.
Regarding the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) in Mylatti, Kasaragode, Joseph said the machinery required for the project had to be brought from China.
The contractor had sought additional time, citing delays in handing over the site and other issues.
"Discussions were held with the contractor along with the KSEB chairman and engineers, asking to expedite the work. The contractor has been asked to arrange alternative machinery if the equipment from China could not be delivered on time," he said.
