2 hrs ago
Kerala Power Crisis Sparks Government-Opposition Blame Exchange Over Shortage
Kerala is facing a shortage of electricity.
The government and the opposition disagree about who caused the problem.
Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph blamed the earlier government for canceling a long-term deal to buy power.
He said electricity use has risen while production has fallen.
Pinarayi Vijayan said the deal had not received the required approvals and had legal problems.
He said the earlier government tried other ways to keep electricity available.
Vijayan also accused the current government of failing to act quickly.
The government says there is no immediate fix and that longer-term planning is needed.
The two sides are therefore blaming each other for the shortage.
Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph blamed the previous LDF government for canceling a 25-year agreement to procure 465 MW at Rs 4.29 per unit.
Joseph said rising consumption, reduced generation and repayment of borrowed power had contributed to the shortage.
Pinarayi Vijayan rejected the allegation, saying the agreement had legal and regulatory defects and was ultimately scrapped after an appellate tribunal ruling.
Vijayan said the previous government avoided power cuts through higher-priced purchases, power swaps and other measures.
Both sides offered competing explanations for the current crisis, with Vijayan alleging the government failed to act promptly after warning signs emerged.
- Who
- Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph and CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan, representing the government and opposition positions.
- What
- The government and opposition exchanged accusations over Kerala’s ongoing electricity shortage and the cancellation of a long-term power purchase agreement.
- Where
- Kerala, with statements made in Thiruvananthapuram and on Facebook.
- When
- The dispute was reported on Saturday; the agreement was signed in 2015 and the regulatory commission denied it approval in 2023.
- Why
- Joseph attributed the shortage to the canceled agreement, rising consumption and lower generation, while Vijayan blamed legal defects in the agreement and the current government’s alleged mismanagement and delayed response.
UDF Government’s Position
LDF Opposition’s Position
Cause of the shortage
UDF Government’s Position
Sunny Joseph said the previous Pinarayi Vijayan government’s cancellation of the 25-year, 465 MW agreement contributed to the current shortage.
LDF Opposition’s Position
Pinarayi Vijayan said the agreement’s legal and regulatory shortcomings, rather than its cancellation alone, explain why it could not continue.
Validity of the agreement
UDF Government’s Position
The government presented the agreement as a lost source of power that could have helped Kerala meet current demand.
LDF Opposition’s Position
Vijayan said the agreement was signed without required approvals, was rejected by the regulatory commission and was ultimately scrapped after an appellate tribunal ruling.
Handling of the crisis
UDF Government’s Position
Joseph said there is no immediate solution, citing higher consumption, lower generation and limited availability in short-term markets; he called for long-term measures.
LDF Opposition’s Position
Vijayan said the current government failed to respond promptly after warning signs emerged and alleged that the shortage was being used to create hardship and promote private-sector involvement.
Key facts
- Power agreement
- A 25-year agreement was intended to procure 465 MW at Rs 4.29 per unit.
- Agreement date
- The agreement was signed in 2015 during the UDF government.
- Regulatory status
- The regulatory commission denied approval to the agreement in 2023, according to Pinarayi Vijayan.
- Current shortage
- Sunny Joseph said consumption has increased while generation has decreased.
- Market purchases
- Joseph said adequate power was unavailable through day-ahead and real-time markets.
- Summer demand
- Joseph said power consumption would nearly double during the summer.
- Alternative measures
- Vijayan said the previous government used higher-priced purchases and power swaps to avoid restrictions.
Sources
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