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Kerala might land in a serious power crisis if the southwest monsoon failed to intensify in the coming days. Storage levels in major reservoirs have dropped drastically to below 12 per cent of their capacity.
Inflow to the reservoirs in June was much below the normal levels after the onset of the monsoon in June and hence there is a shortfall of water needed to generate 300 million units (mus), senior KSEB sources told Business Line .
July predictions
They said the Board is now waiting to see the predictions of good rains in July to be translated into reality. In June only 37 per cent of the normal inflow was received and “we hope the forecast will materialise in the coming months and make up for this deficiency, they said.
“So far, the situation is under control as the discrepancy could be met by purchases from the open market,” they said.
The hydel generation is restricted to 12 million units from around 20 mus in the past. From the Central grid 28 million units are drawn and balance 14 million units needed to meet the daily demand are purchased from the open market at an average price of Rs 5 aunit, they said.
High cost thermal power from the NTPC's Kayamkulam power plant has not been purchased so far, as the cost of it is more than double the price per unit in the open market, they pointed out.
Power cuts?
However, if there is a shortfall in the availability from the current sources, the Board may be compelled to go for the high cost Kayamkulam power or resort to power cuts/load shedding, they said.
There would be some respite if the Kudankulam atomic power plant started generation.
Evacuation of power from Kudankulam will have constraints as the transmission line between Edamon and Kochi is yet to be completed. It is under litigation following the opposition by rubber growers to the construction of the line.
Transmission trouble
Non-availability of transmission corridor to bring in power from open market during peak hours often forms a major impediment.
“The inter-State lines to evacuate power from other States are needed at the peak demand period which is about 3,000 MW. Where as, the capacity of inter-State feeder lines is 1,000 MW only,” they added.
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