Surge in Electricity Consumption Hits Record High in February
In an unprecedented turn of events, the state witnessed a historic surge in electricity consumption in February, reaching a staggering 92.468 million units, breaking all previous records for the month. This marks a significant increase of 10 million units compared to the same period last year. Notably, out of this total, 75.4852 million units were imported, emphasizing a heavy reliance on external sources. Domestic production contributed 16.9827 million units, with 4.325 million units generated specifically in Moolamattam. The surge in consumption is attributed to the soaring temperatures, with air-conditioners, coolers, and fans contributing to the peak usage, particularly spiking at 10 pm.
Despite the growing demand, the state is grappling with a delay in repairing Generator No. 1 at Moolamattam Power Station, damaged on December 15. The repair is hindered by the delayed arrival of defective parts from abroad, and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) projects completion by the end of the month. Currently, five generators of 130 MW are operational. Meanwhile, with the summer intensifying, water levels in the state’s dams are rapidly decreasing, standing at only 60 percent of capacity. KSEB’s reservoirs have 2468.511 million units of water left for electricity generation. The iconic Idukki Dam, the state’s largest hydropower project, has a water level of 54 percent, showcasing a decline of over six percent in the past month. The challenge remains to manage the increasing electricity demand while addressing repair delays and monitoring depleting water resources.
