Thiruvananthapuram, September 18 (Daily Kiran) : Kerala is grappling with a serious energy crisis due to rising temperatures, declining water levels in reservoirs, and a widening gap between electricity demand and supply. On Friday, Energy Minister Suni Joseph announced that the state government is seriously considering floating solar projects and pumped-storage facilities to address long-term electricity needs.
This announcement came during a roundtable discussion on renewable energy, held on the final day of the three-day “Reimagining Kerala” program. The proposal arises as Kerala has recently implemented restrictions on power supply due to soaring demand.
Earlier this month, the peak electricity demand exceeded 5,200 megawatts, while availability was around 4,200 megawatts. As a result, the Kerala State Electricity Board had to impose supply restrictions during peak hours.
The current crisis highlights Kerala’s heavy reliance on hydroelectric power and electricity purchased from other states. Reduced rainfall and lower water levels have diminished hydroelectric production, while increased temperatures have driven up electricity consumption. Supply issues have also affected the availability of power from neighboring states.
Public frustration over power cuts has been significant, especially since regular outages were largely absent during the previous decade under the Left Democratic Front government. This has intensified pressure on the current administration to find immediate solutions while also working on long-term plans to enhance electricity production and supply.
Joseph noted that Kerala’s geographic conditions and changing climate make it challenging to implement large-scale traditional solar and wind energy projects. Therefore, the government is considering floating solar projects, pumped-storage facilities, and community-level battery storage systems with local participation.
M.R. Narayanan, who initiated concrete-based floating solar projects at the Banasura Sagar reservoir in Wayanad, stated that the state has the potential to generate up to 2,000 megawatts of electricity through such projects. He called for a single-window clearance system to expedite approvals for these initiatives.
M.G. Rajamanickam, Chairman and Managing Director of the Kerala State Electricity Board, emphasized the need for energy conservation to be part of government policy. He described it as the most practical and immediate solution to the ongoing crisis.
He pointed out that the increasing number of rooftop solar systems in homes is changing electricity consumption patterns. He advocated for a system that provides consumers with information and alerts about their electricity usage, encouraging them to save energy.
The roundtable also discussed connecting solar photovoltaic, wind energy, small hydropower plants, biomass, and waste-to-energy projects through a shared energy management system. Additionally, the potential for implementing battery storage systems at the levels of electricity distribution companies, communities, institutions, and households was explored.
However, the government currently faces its most significant challenge: providing adequate electricity to homes and businesses, where demand continues to rise due to increasing temperatures.
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