12 hrs ago
Kerala Promises October Power Policy Amid Electricity Crisis
Kerala is facing a shortage of electricity.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan said the government will introduce a new power policy in October.
The policy will focus more on renewable energy, especially solar power.
The government wants Kerala to produce enough electricity for itself.
Satheesan said demand has increased, while electricity is difficult to buy elsewhere.
He said managing electricity use during the busiest hours may be necessary for a while.
He also accused some electricity-board employees of switching power off unnecessarily.
The report does not include a response from those employees.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said a comprehensive power policy would be introduced in October.
The proposed policy will emphasize renewable energy, particularly solar power, to help Kerala achieve electricity self-sufficiency.
Satheesan attributed the crisis partly to rising demand and limited electricity available for purchase.
He said peak-hour management would be needed temporarily while the crisis continues.
Satheesan alleged that some Kerala State Electricity Board employees were repeatedly switching off power and said action would be taken.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan and the Kerala government.
- What
- The government plans to introduce a comprehensive power policy and a new electricity regulatory policy while addressing an ongoing electricity crisis.
- Where
- Kochi, Kerala.
- When
- The comprehensive power policy is planned for October; Satheesan also said a new electricity regulatory policy would be brought out this month. The remarks were reported on Saturday, September 12.
- Why
- The policies are intended to address the electricity crisis, manage rising demand, expand renewable energy, and move Kerala toward self-sufficiency.
Government’s Position
Employees’ Reported Position
Power interruptions
Government’s Position
V D Satheesan alleged that some Kerala State Electricity Board employees were switching off electricity four or five times a day to worsen the crisis, and said action would follow.
Employees’ Reported Position
The report provides no response from the employees or Kerala State Electricity Board officials accused of disrupting supply.
Renewable energy
Government’s Position
Satheesan said Kerala should shift toward non-conventional sources, particularly solar power, and criticized alleged resistance to renewable energy within the electricity board.
Employees’ Reported Position
The report does not explain the reasons for the alleged resistance or provide the views of the officials concerned.
Key facts
- Announced policy
- A comprehensive new power policy is planned for October.
- Renewable focus
- The policy will give greater importance to renewable energy, particularly solar power.
- Crisis factor
- Satheesan identified increased electricity demand as one reason for the crisis.
- Supply situation
- He said electricity was unavailable for purchase in many places and that Kerala was still returning power obtained through a swap arrangement.
- Short-term measure
- Peak-hour management may be required for some time.
- Alleged disruption
- Satheesan alleged that some Kerala State Electricity Board employees were switching off power repeatedly and unnecessarily.
- Proposed action
- He said action would be taken against employees found deliberately disrupting supply.
Quotes
V D Satheesan
Kerala Chief Minister
“There is an energy crisis at present and there are reasons for that crisis. I see this crisis as an opportunity to formulate a concrete power policy to solve the basic issue. We have to make use of this crisis to create a power policy and management.”
theprint.in
“Some people are deliberately switching off power repeatedly, thinking that the crisis should worsen. This has come to our notice and action will be taken.”
theprint.in
Sources
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