KSEB warns of load shedding in summer without approval for power purchase
The Electricity Regulatory Commission is reviewing the KSEB's power purchase plans amid concerns about costs and demand estimations, especially during the election and exam period.
The Electricity Regulatory Commission is reviewing the KSEB's power purchase plans amid concerns about costs and demand estimations, especially during the election and exam period.
The Electricity Regulatory Commission is reviewing the KSEB's power purchase plans amid concerns about costs and demand estimations, especially during the election and exam period.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has warned that load shedding may become unavoidable in March and April if the State Electricity Regulatory Commission does not permit the purchase of adequate power.
The board said that there is no other alternative solutions available to address the anticipated summer power shortage. It has emphasised that this period overlaps with both the Assembly elections and public examinations, times when electricity demand typically surges. Without securing additional power, the crisis could worsen, making short-term power purchase agreements crucial.
The Commission noted that of the proposed power purchases worth ₹684 crore for the six-and-a-half-month period from September this year to May 15, 2026, excluding January and February, over one-third (₹245 crore) would be spent in April alone.
During the previous April–May season, the KSEB had required about 9–10 per cent less power than originally estimated. Taking this into account, the Regulatory Commission has directed the Board to re-estimate the actual demand for April–May in the coming year, based on ground realities and submit the revised figures with supporting statistics within a month.