Kerala expects to ease power crisis by mid-September, says CM Satheesan
Kerala CM says power crisis should ease by mid-September; cites weak monsoon, coal shortage, and a cancelled power purchase agreement.
Facing public backlash over unscheduled power cuts across the state, Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said on Wednesday that the government expects to ease the electricity crisis by mid-September through a series of measures.
Speaking at a press conference, Satheesan said the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) will be instructed to streamline how power cut announcements are made, aiming to reduce public inconvenience.
The Chief Minister attributed the crisis to multiple factors: a weak monsoon has lowered water levels in the state's hydel power dams, cutting generation; a coal shortage at thermal plants has reduced power available for purchase from northern states; and peak-hour demand has surged by 800–900 MW compared to the same period last year.
Satheesan acknowledged the government is now forced to buy power at high costs but said steps are being taken to secure supply without passing an additional financial burden onto consumers.
He also blamed the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for the current situation, pointing to its cancellation of a long-term power purchase agreement signed by the earlier Oommen Chandy government. Under that pact, Kerala could have received 465 MW at ₹4.29 per unit. Instead, the LDF administration bought power at rates ranging from ₹8 to ₹14, he said.
Responding to earlier criticism, Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan had said in July that the LDF initially continued with the agreement despite reservations over some clauses, but the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) ultimately decided to cancel it.