The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is entering the final phase of formalities for sourcing Kerala’s share of electricity from the Koodankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) in southern Tamil Nadu.
A full board meeting of the KSEB on Thursday gave the nod for signing a power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) for evacuating 266 MW from the first and second units of KKNPP.
As of now, the NPCIL hopes to start commercial operations from the first at the nuclear power plant by September end.
Kerala’s share from each 1000 MW unit is 133 MW. A revised deadline for the second unit says commercial operations should begin by June 2014.
The KSEB full board meeting also decided to entrust the Chief Engineer (Commercial and Tariff) to execute the PPA.
“It’s a mere formality for evacuating power. The cost of power will be decided later,” a top KSEB official said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had staked full claim on power from the controversy-ridden power project citing the acute power crisis in her state.
But Kerala Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed had pointed out that no one can really stake full claim as KKNPP was a central generation station and the power was divided among various states as per the Gadgil formula.
Kerala has been unable to settle disputes regarding the construction of a transmission corridor for Koodankulam power to Madakkathara, Thrissur.
Power from the first unit will be brought via Udumalpet and Palakkad, though this is not a long-term solution.
Nevertheless, power from KKNPP is expected to solve Kerala’s problems related to congestion in the inter-state transmission corridors to an extent.