A combination of events led to a shortage of 500 MW forcing the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to impose half-hour power restriction in the state on Thursday also.
The KSEB received 100 MW less from the Talcher station of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) in Orissa. The KSEB also faced a shortage of 180 MW from Karnataka as the Hosur-Salem transmission line has been shutdown for repairs. In addition to this, two of the generators in the Idukki power project were also shutdown for the Residual Life Analysis Test.
The KSEB has been facing shortage of up to 450 MW since November 29 owing to the labour strike at the Mahanadi Coal Fields in Orissa. This had caused shortage in the central supply from the Talcher and the Simhadri stations. On November 29, the KSEB had faced a shortage of 450 MW. On November 30, the shortage was to the tune of 500 MW.
A ‘machine fault’ at Talcher had led to a shortage of 300 MW on Tuesday. Partial restrictions in supply were imposed on Tuesday after KSEB faced a shortfall of 300 MW on Wednesday.