Power crisis in Kerala
October 8th, 2008
It is now pretty clear that Kerala is heading for a disastrous power crisis. The current power generation from hydro electric projects is about 20 million units while the consumption is double the production at 40 million units. The deficit electricity is bought from other states at a rate of over 9 rupees per unit. Now there is a limit of about 200 units per month for domestic users and any usage above this limit will attract a price of Rs. 10 per unit!!
There is also a daily power cut of 30 minutes for domestic users during night. KSEB has also imposed a 20% power cut to industrial units. If there is good rains in the coming months and if water level goes down in reservoirs, we can expect a huge power crisis in the near future.
Government and KSEB seems to be using the power crisis as a pretext to increase power tariff on a permanent basis. Even if the power situation improves, I don’t think they will reduce the tariff for 200+ units/month category.
Why is there a power crisis in Kerala?
The reason is pretty obvious. The power requirements are increasing at a rapid rate in Kerala. Think about all the infrastructure developments and service sector developments happening in Kerala. Domestic consumption is also increasing at a rapid rate. But at the supply side nothing is happening. No new power projects are being planned or executed. There are two important power projects, if implemented can improve the situation – one is the proposed hydro electric power plant at Athirappilly and the other one is the hydro electric power plant at Silent Valley. These two projects can be completed quickly and will provide cheap electricity without any substantial damage/risk to the environment.
But unfortunately, environmental hardliners funded by outside forces are stalling these projects. For example, the Athirappilly project was cleared by a lot of expert committees. Yet there is a strong group of individuals working together to sabotage the project. If the government had the willpower to take on these groups, Athirappilly power project would have been a reality now. If implemented, Athirappilly power project would produce over 160MW of energy (By comparison, the largest hydro electric project in Idukki has a maximum production capacity of 780MW).
People who are trying to sabotage these projects don’t know where they are leading us. The only alternative now would be to go after nuclear power projects which when compared to a hydro electric project is like a time bomb. Just imagine the situation that Kerala government employees will be responsible for the safety of a nuclear power plant. Just thinking about a possible “panimudakku” at the plant will give you nightmares. Jokes apart, before we look at any other energy source we should try our best to maximize the power generation from hydro electric sources.
Look at the following figure to see where Chinese are going with hydroelectric plants. Look at the production capacity of the projects! Mind boggling! In next 5-6 years, Chinese would have built enough hydroelectric power plants that can probably meet power needs of Kerala for next 1000 years! 
Here in Kerala, we are still fighting in High court for last 3 -5 years against a small power project that will require about 80 families to be relocated and will generate 160MW for years to come.
I think Government should first impose the increased power tariff only on those who oppose the essential hydroelectric projects. Let them do some sacrifice first.
Now the second problem lies with KSEB (Kerala Electricity Board). This is a white elephant and is an extremely inefficient and bureaucratic organization. It is needs to be revamped and adequate steps must be taken for power loss – which is mainly through theft and problems in infrastructure. The best way obviously is to separate generation and distribution departments into separate entities. For distribution, we can involve private companies (just like in mobile phones or land phone connections). But government seems more interested in converting KSEB into an organization like KSRTC. Both will ultimately squeeze the common man at the pretext of “socialism”.
My Prediction
When it comes to Kerala, I am very pessimistic. I think the power deficit will keep on increasing in the years to come. I think environmentalists will be able to sabotage all the new proposed hydroelectric plants. We will soon see government reducing the 200 units cap to 50 units and finally every unit will cost over 10 rupees. Higher cost of electricity will drive out the last remaining industries from Kerala.
Then we can all become “pravasis” working in Dubai, Chennai, Siera Leone, California etc.
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October 8th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
When almost all the states in India have complied to the In section 131 of the Electricity Act 2003, I wonder what prevents our law makers from splitting this white elephant called KSEB.
I hope the center comes up with a strict deadline to split KSEB.
Did someone says, commies rule China?
Here in Kerala, we are still fighting in High court for last 3 -5 years against a small power project that will require about 80 families to be relocated and will generate 160MW for years to come.
This is shocking indeed. Kerala is an easy place for the Vandana Shivas and likes of the world to hog limelight.
-Nikhil
October 8th, 2008 at 7:27 pm
Well said my friend. You are speaking out the common man’s words. I’m glad there are people like you.
October 8th, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Well said my friend. You are speaking common man’s words. I’m glad that there are people like you.
October 8th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
say* typo in my comment
October 8th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I am fed up of your contradictions, groping in the dark and fighting shadows policy that is rampant in most of your articles.
You said: “If there is good rains in the coming months and if water level goes down in reservoirs, we can expect a huge power crisis in the near future.”
Have you checked with reliable sources whether there is enough water round the year to sustain 160 MW Power Generation at Athirapilly.
You said: “Look at the following figure to see where Chinese are going with hydroelectric plants”
Seems that you are all pumped up with the Chinese rains to raise an umbrella here in Kerala. Just like the commies here. Just like the commies.
You said: “But unfortunately, environmental hardliners funded by outside forces are stalling these projects.”
Still got the bad habit of shadow boxing ehh. I want your shadow boxing to stop.
I will give you two telephone numbers of these so called environmental hardliners that you officially declared to be funded by myterious outside forces who have a vested interest in saving the “kudils” of barely 80 “meagre number” families.
The first number 9895* is that of Mohandas Mash (a athirapilly hardliner who runs a tutorial college and charges a fraction of the fees from the poor students who attend his college.{He is definitely funded by outside agencies:) }) The second number 9847* is that of Latha Unnikrishnan of River Research Centre who presented a paper on River Basin Management in front of Revenue Minister K.P.Rajendran on October 3rd under the auspices of Chalakudy River Protection Council.
Going by what you say Kerala is doomed right.
Well, i thank all the parties in Kerala for your various hartals cause it keeps the industries and SEZ’s out. Now i’m talking like you. Well, in Maharashtra, industries are pouring like hippos and hados and the MIDC(Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) gets power 24 hours a day. But what happens then to household consumers. In rural Maharashtra there is an official 12 hour powercut while developed cities like Pune have official 6 hour powercut. Only Mumbai is spared from powercuts, it seems. In Kerala we have just a half an hour evening power cut, and i thank the commies and others who have successfully kept the industries out. Only one factory operates successfully in Kerala and that is the Hope Factory. If you don’t know what i mean you will never understand the aspirations of a true keralite.
October 8th, 2008 at 11:26 pm
@Gopal,
Sorry, I have to edit out the phone numbers
October 8th, 2008 at 11:47 pm
Gopal,
When I say “outsiders” what I mean is that there are lot of people from outside coming here and instigating people to stall the project.
I consider myself to be a strong enviornmentalist yet I am intelligent enough not to be an idiot. Every action we take has positive and negative aspects. Every postitive step has some compromise.
If we are to widen our existing roads, we have to relocate people staying on both sides. There is *no other* option, my dear friend. The same applies to people who are staying at Athirappilly. Take for example the new Vizhinjam project. It requires relocation of over 400 families, but we have no other option. It is not a question of 80 “kudils” or 80 five star houses.
When it comes to practicality, enviornmentalists in Kerala are worse than idiots. They fight for such silly aspects that they loose the big picture.
Ok. If you really want to preserve the enviornment and our state, there are so many good things to do than sabotage a good power project.
The problem with this whole drama is that majority of us who wants the athirappilly project are not vocal enough. We are in a democracy, yet our politicians don’t have the willpower to implement what the people of Kerala wants.
October 8th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Nikhil, Sorry I have to edit out your last sentence. It sounded like a threat!
October 10th, 2008 at 1:07 am
You must be kidding, another hydroelectric project. the age of big dams are over.Dams have done their bit, in a state like ours where land is at a premium , its not the way to go. Also the envirnonmnetal consequences are disastrous. Silent valley is one of the few virgin forests that we have left, and you want to build a friggin dam there.
I dont have the cure for kerala’s power crisis, but its not another dam for sure. And please don’t quote chinese figures, no one knows what happens in china, its a state controlled media, all their numbers are probably inflated or bogus
October 10th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
This time’s power problem could have been averted to a great extend by efficient management of water in dams. I don’t know why the KSEB and its minister wasted all the water. If they have sold the power, then where is all the money? Why can’t they use that money to tide over this crisis?
October 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Hey,
I forgot what I wrote. What did I write? Mail me the line.
Was really pissed off at the commies and the environmentalists when I wrote that.
Apologies.
-Nikhil
October 12th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
reducing power theft is also a reason.
April 19th, 2009 at 6:59 am
if you can please post electricity usage statistics in kerala.
August 23rd, 2009 at 10:14 am
All should aware of the bill which we get in all months..!!
:-p
October 3rd, 2009 at 11:44 pm
Hello, i heard that 160MW capacity is never gonna work out. They are expecting only 20MW of electricity. Is that true??