Keralam CM warns State to brace for rising heat, surging power demand as El Niño effect set to worsen

Keralam, a small southern Indian State, is currently grappling with an unprecedented power crisis during the monsoon season. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced that his government is working with eight other states and various power sector agencies to secure emergency electricity supplies. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government plans to implement a revised power policy and short- and long-term plans for guaranteeing energy security.

The power crisis has persisted despite a surge in solar power capacity, currently at 2,259.50 MW, due to the lack of grid-scale energy storage systems. During the day, KSEB surrenders electricity to accommodate solar power, but at night, when demand peaks, the utility relies on expensive procurements. The crisis began in April due to air-conditioner usage, EV charging, and electric cooking from LPG shortages.

The monsoon months have seen continued power curbs, leading to complaints from the public. KSEB's lack of planning and the failure to invest in storage systems and pumped storage projects have been criticized. The UDF government argues that restored power agreements could have averted the crisis, but the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government failed to restore them.

KSEB's annual expenditure on power purchases is significant, with ₹12,982.59 crore spent in 2023-24 and ₹12,749.65 crore in 2024-25. This burden is passed on to consumers through thermal fuel surcharges on their electricity bills.