Thiruvananthapuram, September 15 (Daily Kiran) : The ongoing power crisis in Kerala has emerged as a significant political and administrative challenge for the government led by V.D. Satheeshan. Frequent power outages have prompted the leftist opposition to intensify its criticism, comparing the current situation to a decade ago when scheduled outages were rare.
On Tuesday, Power Minister Suni Joseph acknowledged that no final decision had been made regarding purchasing electricity from NTPC at around ₹30 per unit. This uncertainty has only added to the prevailing crisis.
Joseph warned that buying electricity at such a high rate would impose a heavy financial burden on the state, necessitating cabinet approval. He did not specify how long the current power cuts would last, stating only that the government is making every effort to resolve the crisis as quickly as possible.
The CPI(M)-led left front is framing the power shortage as a failure of the new government, arguing that during the ten-year tenure of Pinarayi Vijayan, daily outages had virtually disappeared.
For the current administration, the most pressing political challenge is that citizens are directly experiencing the impact of these shortages, rather than just relying on data about electricity availability. Experts in the power sector suggest that this crisis should not only be viewed as a failure to procure electricity in a timely manner.
K.S. Manoj, an engineering physicist and power sector expert, noted that the shortage reveals deep vulnerabilities in Kerala’s electricity system. This includes dependence on external power, fluctuations in procurement costs, and a lack of robust long-term planning.
He explained, “Currently, the question is about the cost of keeping the system operational. If 300 megawatts of electricity is purchased at ₹30 per unit, the daily bill could reach approximately ₹2.16 crore, totaling around ₹65 crore over 30 days. However, the actual cost will depend on the quantity of electricity purchased, the duration, and the terms of the contract.”
Manoj emphasized the need for a full-time, professionally qualified chairman and managing director for the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to manage power system effectively. He argued that the discussion should not be about IAS versus technocrats, but rather about ensuring that the head of the institution possesses the necessary technical knowledge, management skills, accountability, and continuity to make informed decisions regarding electricity procurement, production, transmission, and market operations.
This crisis has also raised questions about Kerala’s long-term electricity strategy. The state requires an integrated plan spanning 15 to 20 years, considering factors such as rising demand, hydropower availability, renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, energy storage, and the potential for national electricity shortages.
According to experts, the focus should not only be on increasing production capacity but also on ensuring a stable and flexible electricity supply during peak demand times. Strategies should include enhancing hydro and pump storage capacity, battery storage, renewable production, demand response, and a diversified procurement portfolio.
Additionally, previously established long-term power purchase agreements may come under scrutiny due to the current crisis. Experts argue that these agreements should be reviewed through independent technical and financial assessments rather than political accusations.
For the Satheeshan government, the most significant test remains addressing the ongoing supply instability while countering opposition claims of administrative failure. The government must explain why a state that experienced minimal outages for a decade is now facing such a severe shortage that it is considering purchasing electricity at ₹30 per unit.
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