T’puram: In an unprecedented development, KSEB has started widespread power restrictions during monsoon. KSEB said it was forced to do so on account of the huge power shortage experienced nationally. The strengthening of El Niño phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean has led to a rise in atmospheric temperature, resulting in a large-scale shortfall in power availability across the country amid steep power use, it said. El Niño is a climate pattern marked by unusual warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean that can strongly influence India’s weather, especially monsoon.Kerala’s power situation looks bleak as KSEB is supposed to return the power it had borrowed from other states during March and April from June 16. Although KSEB tried to secure DEEP (discovery of efficient electricity price) contracts to obtain the power it required to meet demands, it was unsuccessful amid the El Niño-linked power crisis in India.“Though monsoon arrived in the first week of June, the atmospheric temperature has not decreased significantly in Kerala as rains are intermittent. Although a total demand of 4,100MW was expected, there is a demand for 4,900MW now. The power consumption has also increased by 10 million units,” said KSEB.Even when 1,700MW of domestic production, 1,701MW from central stations and 612MW available through long-term power contracts are received, a shortfall of nearly 900MW persists from June 16-30 due to the above-mentioned reasons. Power availability in power exchanges has also shrunk to 5% in these special circumstances, said KSEB.To assess the situation, power minister Sunny Joseph had convened an emergency meeting of top officials, including the power secretary and KSEB chairman M G Rajamanickam. The minister said maximum power available through daily contracts must be purchased and brought to the state. “The meeting granted permission to KSEB to impose necessary power restrictions in coming days if the shortfall cannot be bridged, thereby ensuring stability of the power network,” said KSEB. It also added that limited power restrictions may become necessary between 6pm and 12am until June 30.Current scenario* The strengthening of El Niño phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean has led to a rise in atmospheric temperature.* This has resulted in a large-scale shortfall in power availability across India amid steep power consumption* From June 16, KSEB has to return the power it borrowed from other states in March and April* Till June 30, state’s power shortfall is nearly 900MW
