KOCHI: The Kerala State had surplus electricity till 1987, and have been sliding into deeper deficit since then. In the ongoing daily consumption of 75 million unit of current, 60 million units are purchased from other States. Further, the consumption increases on an average of 2.5 million units, equivalent to 100 MW of power, with every passing year. The shocking fact is that, only 275 MW of hydroelectric power is added to our grid in the last two decades. The output of 1300 strong Civil engineers working with KSEB in the last 20 years, is 275 MW, which is not even 14 MW per year. So the forecast is that, every year the supply-demand gap is going to grow by 86 Mega Watts.
Mismanagement at its worst
After 12 years of construction work, Pallivasal extension scheme’s progress is still at 75% mark. Recently, the KSEB has served the main contractor with a termination notice, triggering an endless legal battle. They often forget that negotiation and arbitration are some avenues available before approaching the Courts.
Grim financial scenario
The operating losses of KSEB in the last one year was Rs.1652 Crores. The cumulative debt of KSEB stands at Rs. 7300 Crores. Further, the loss made by the ongoing hydel projects alone, during the last few years is more than Rs. 10,000 Crores. So it is evident that the KSEB is bearing the burden of the loss, caused by its civil wing.
Projects in limbo
60 MW Pallivasal and 40 MW Thottiyar are in most critical condition. 150 Crores worth machinery were imported in Pallivasal in the year 2011, and 100 Crores worth machinery were imported in Thottiyar in 2013. These machines are rusting because they are left unattended. Thousands of Tonnes of Penstock pipes are also rusting in Pallivasal.
The following are a few majorprojects delayed for sundry reasons. Mega Watt is given in brackets. Achankovil (30), Bhoothathankettu (24), Chalipuzha (90), Chinnar (24), Chittur upper (6), Ezhamthala (4), Furlonkara (1), Inchavarakuthu (3), Kaithakkolli diversion (10), Kakkadampoil-I (20), Kakkadampoil-II (5), Kalanki (1), Kalladathanni (4), Kangapuzha (1), Kanjirakkolli (5), Kanjirappuzha (1), Karikkayam (15), Mukkattathode (3), Mundakkayam (1), Muthappanpuzha (2), Odampuzha (1), Olikkal (5), Onippuzha (2), Palakkuzhi (1), Palchuram (5), Pallivasal Extension Scheme (60), Pambar (40), Parakkadavu (10), Pazhassi Sagar (15), Peruvannamuzhi (6), Pilachikkara (1), Poovaranthodu (3), Poringalkuthu (24), Randamkadavu (1), Sengulam Augmentation (24), Thanniyadi (1), Thipplikayam (2), Thirunelli (1), Thommankuthu (3), Thoniyar (3), Thooval (1), Thottiyar (40), Thuvalar (4), Upper Kallar (2), Upper Poringal (7), Upper Senkulam (24), Upper Vattappara (3), Urulikkuzhi (3), Uruttipuzha (1), Valanthode (8), Wanchiyam (3), Western Kallar (5).
If these projects could be completed in the next two years, the generation capacity of the State can be increased by 730 Mega Watts equivalent to 17 Million units of current.(Jacob Jose was the Joint General Manager of Essar Pvt Ltd. The views expressed by the author are his own)