Paucity in internal generation and the inordinate delay in completing the maintenance on the Mysuru-Areekode transmission link are likely to push the State to a major power crisis.
Power Department sources told The Hindu here that voltage fluctuations had already become acute and the government and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) would soon have to take a call on the grim scenario and opt for either a power cut or load-shedding.
Anticipating a crisis, the board had entered into power purchase agreements valid up to 2017, but congestion in the transmission links from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have upset the distribution plans drawn up earlier. The ongoing maintenance works on the Mysuru-Areekode link have added to the woes of the board and the government.
Congestion and lack of transmission links have worsened the situation. Voltage issues have already been reported from northern Kerala and industries may soon start feeling the pinch. Against a demand for 110 kV, the voltage in many parts of the State has come down to 95 kV and the board offices have already resorted to voltage control. The situation is likely to worsen. Once power crisis intensifies, the government would have no option but to restrict supply, sources said.
The power sector has become vulnerable to exigencies in other parts of the country. For instance, Tamil Nadu had to switch off its windmills following the deluge and hence the power that was to be routed to the State had to be diverted.
A similar crisis may occur anytime. Inept power management of the government and growing public resistance to new power generation projects within the State are being cited as the main reasons for the impending crisis.
While stepping up the capacity of the transmission links, the State government should lay due accent on creating public awareness to have more generation schemes to address the crisis. In the current situation, there is no scope for averting power restriction, sources said.
