KOLLAM: Kerala continues to remain heavily dependent on electricity imports, with more than 80% of its power consumption being met through external purchases, costing the state exchequer a staggering Rs 10,941.59 crore in the financial year 2023-24, according to the KSEB’s Annual Administration Report.
This growing dependence comes at a time when Kerala has 61 dams and 42 hydroelectric stations, highlighting a stark mismatch between potential and actual generation. According to the report, KSEB’s internal generation amounted to only 5,652 million units (MU), mostly from hydroelectric sources, while the state’s total consumption crossed 27,696 MU during the year.
Of this, 11,434.41 MU were sourced from Central Generating Stations (CGS). In addition, KSEB purchased 2,625.92 MU from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) through bilateral agreements. To meet sudden peak demands, 1,236.37 MU were procured through traders, while 5,531 MU were purchased from power exchanges.
An official at KSEB pointed out that surging peak-time demand has made dependence on outside sources unavoidable. “In March 2024, Kerala’s electricity demand touched 5,301 MW, exposing the limitations of our domestic generation capacity,” the official said.
Adding to the concern is the negligible generation from renewable sources. The report states that solar and wind stations owned by KSEB generated only 3.79 MU and 1.21 MU respectively during the year. Although Kerala has crossed 1 GW of cumulative solar capacity, only 224.08 MW (22.2%) is owned by KSEB itself.
“Kerala is one of the states where demand for electricity peaks during nighttime. The fact is that we could not generate the electricity as per our demand, and that forced us to import from other states. We cannot depend on solar projects as their generation capacity is limited.
Currently the government is pushing the plan to store solar-generated power in batteries. But that plan requires a huge investment. We cannot set up thermal power plants, as it will invite opposition from environmentalists and local people. So until a mega project materialises, we have to depend on other states for our power requirements,” said a senior official at KSEB.
Another KSEB official stressed the urgent need to revive stalled hydel projects to reduce this dependency.
“Hydel projects planned in Athirappilly, Bhoothathankettu and Thottiyar were major hopes. But these remain incomplete. The Pallivasal Extension Scheme of 60 MW too has been delayed for 18 years. You can have small nuclear power plants, but again, you cannot proceed with such projects due to public protest. In that sense, hydel projects need to be completed in a speedy manner,” the official said.
Power sourced due to peak demand
According to the report, KSEB’s internal generation amounted to only 5,652 million units (MU), mostly from hydroelectric sources, while the state’s total consumption crossed 27,696 MU during 2023-34
Of this, 11,434.41 MU were sourced from Central Generating Stations (CGS)
KSEB also purchased 2,625.92 MU from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) through bilateral agreements
To meet sudden peak demands, 1,236.37 MU were procured through traders, while 5,531 MU were purchased from power exchanges