59 mins ago
Kerala Power Cuts Continue Amid Electricity Supply Shortage
Kerala is not getting as much electricity as people need.
Because of this, power cuts will continue for now.
Minister Sunny Joseph said things might get a little better in the next few days.
A power-sharing deal involving 250 megawatts is ending on Wednesday.
The government is trying to buy electricity from other states.
Many states are facing similar problems because coal is scarce and electricity use has increased.
Some suppliers want to charge the same price for daytime and nighttime power, but regulators may not approve that plan.
Battery projects that could help are also delayed because equipment from China has not arrived.
The minister could not say exactly when the situation would become normal.
Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph said power cuts will continue, though conditions may improve in coming days.
A 250-megawatt power swap arrangement ending Wednesday is expected to provide some relief.
Joseph said he could not specify when electricity supply would return to normal.
Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan is contacting other states to secure additional power supplies.
Battery storage projects planned for October face delays because required machinery has not arrived from China.
- Who
- Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph and Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan are involved in the government response.
- What
- Power cuts will continue in Kerala, with possible limited relief after a 250-megawatt swap arrangement ends.
- Where
- Kerala, amid a wider electricity shortage affecting several Indian states.
- When
- The minister spoke on Wednesday, September 16; the swap arrangement was expected to end on Wednesday, with another 250 megawatts ending by the end of September.
- Why
- Coal shortages, reduced power generation and increased electricity consumption have raised demand and contributed to the supply crisis.
Government and supply concerns
Power suppliers and regulatory limits
Managing the shortage
Government and supply concerns
The Kerala government says it is trying to normalise supply by purchasing power and contacting other states.
Power suppliers and regulatory limits
Suppliers may offer more electricity during the day and less at night, but this arrangement may not receive regulatory approval.
Pricing of power
Government and supply concerns
The government says charging the same price for daytime and nighttime electricity would not be acceptable for regulatory approval.
Power suppliers and regulatory limits
Some states or companies are prepared to provide power under that pricing arrangement, according to the minister.
Key facts
- State affected
- Kerala
- Minister
- Sunny Joseph, Kerala Electricity Minister
- Expected relief
- A 250-megawatt swap arrangement ending Wednesday
- Further arrangement
- The remaining 250 megawatts is expected to end by the end of September
- Other states cited
- Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
- Planned projects
- Battery energy storage projects targeted for commissioning in October
- Project delay
- Required machinery from China has not yet arrived
Quotes
Sunny Joseph
Keralam Electricity Minister
“Shortage of coal, reduction in power generation, increase in consumption has led to a rise in demand for electricity across India and many states, including Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, are facing a crisis”
theprint.in
“We have not yet granted them the extension and have directed them to bring the machinery on an urgent basis”
theprint.in
Sources
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