Kerala power crisis: Consumption up, reservoir levels drop to 28%

Kerala faces a severe power crisis with an unpredictable duration, says Power Minister Sunny Joseph. The crisis is attributed to a surge in electricity consumption and a steep decline in reservoir water levels to just 28 per cent capacity.

Minister Warns of Prolonged Crisis

Keralam Minister for Electricity (Power) Sunny Joseph on Thursday said that it is difficult to predict how long the ongoing power crisis in the state will continue, citing a sharp rise in electricity consumption and a decline in reservoir water levels to 28 per cent.

Speaking to reporters on power restrictions, Joseph added that the crisis in the state may continue for an uncertain period as electricity consumption has risen significantly while water levels in reservoirs have declined sharply.

"It is not possible to say how long the power crisis will continue. Electricity consumption has increased significantly, while the water level in our reservoirs has dropped to just 28%," Joseph told reporters.

Government Exploring Solutions

Keralam Pradesh Congress Committee President said the state government is exploring legal options to restore long-term power purchase agreements to ensure adequate electricity supply. He added that Keralam is also repaying the power it had borrowed from other states during the crisis period.

"We are examining the legal possibilities of restoring long-term power purchase agreements. At the same time, we are repaying the power we had borrowed from other states," he said.

Joseph further stated that the government is making efforts to procure additional electricity through short-term contracts, despite the possibility of higher costs, and has sought approval from the Electricity Regulatory Commission for the same.

"We are also trying to procure additional electricity through short-term contracts, even at a higher cost. Permission has been sought from the Electricity Regulatory Commission for this," the Minister said.

The remarks come amid concerns over power availability in Keralam due to increased demand and reduced storage levels in reservoirs, which are a key source for the state's hydropower generation.

Opposition Blames 'Planning Failures'

Earlier on Tuesday, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Keralam alleged that the state was facing a severe power crisis due to "serious planning failures" by the UDF government, claiming that widespread load shedding after a decade had returned amid declining power availability and low water storage levels in KSEB dams.

In a post on X, Kerala CPI(M) wrote, "Kerala is once again staring at a severe power crisis. The widespread load shedding witnessed in the state after the UDF Government assumed office, the first in a decade, is the result of serious planning failures."

Kerala is once again staring at a severe power crisis. The widespread load shedding witnessed in the state after the UDF Government assumed office, the first in a decade, is the result of serious planning failures. As temperatures rose, expected rainfall failed to materialise,… pic.twitter.com/UEQtO74yxD — CPI(M) Keralam (@CPIMKerala) July 14, 2026

The party said the government failed to anticipate challenges caused by rising temperatures, deficient rainfall, the return of borrowed power and reduced availability of electricity in power exchanges.

"As temperatures rose, expected rainfall failed to materialise, borrowed power had to be returned, and electricity availability in power exchanges declined. The government failed to anticipate these developments and prepare accordingly," CPI(M) said.

The party further added that water storage in Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) dams was at only 28 per cent of capacity.

"Today, water storage in KSEB dams stands at just 28% of capacity. Domestic generation is 24 million units, while consumption has reached 86.46 million units," the post stated.

The CPI(M) further claimed that Kerala was currently managing the situation through central allocation and expensive power purchase agreements.

"The state is currently managing the situation through its central allocation and expensive power purchase agreements," it added.

The party alleged that a decade-long period without widespread load shedding had been reversed under the UDF government.

"A decade without widespread load shedding has been undone by the UDF Government's planning failures," Kerala CPI(M) said.

(ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)