Keralam CM holds emergency meet over power crisis, minister appeals for cooperation
Keralam chief minister VD Satheesan on Friday chaired an emergency review meeting to address the power crisis in the state, even as electricity minister Sunny Joseph appealed for co-operation and flagged declining generation and high consumption due to charging of electric vehicles, low rainfall and use of air-conditioners and coolers
Chief Minister VD Satheesan convened an emergency meeting in Keralam on Friday to tackle the state's power crisis. Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph called for public cooperation and highlighted the factors contributing to the crisis, including increased electricity consumption due to electric vehicle charging, air-conditioners, and coolers, as well as low rainfall and high power demand.
The CM, accompanied by Chief Secretary Bishwanath Sinha and KSEB CMD MG Rajamanickam, directed immediate, high-priority actions to resolve the issue. Opposition parties, such as the CPI(M) and BJP, have urged the government to take urgent measures to address the power cuts and reduce nighttime outages. Joseph emphasized that the crisis cannot be resolved by merely "switching off a button" and expressed empathy for those suffering, particularly families with sick members and children.
The previous government's decision to cancel a long-term power agreement with private suppliers, resulting in a loss of 465 MW of power at ₹4.29 per unit, has further exacerbated the problem. Joseph stated that the state currently generates only 25% of its total power requirement, with the remaining 75% procured from outside sources.
The electricity demand has surged from 4000 MW last year to 5200 MW this year. The BJP has threatened to organize protest marches to the KSEB district offices if the government fails to address the crisis and eliminate nighttime power cuts.
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