Peak electricity demand has for the first time crossed 6,000 megawatts (MW) in Kerala as increased dependence on air conditioners to beat the scorching summer temperatures continues to push up evening demand.
The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) recorded 6,012 MW on April 14, resetting the record of 5,933 MW set just the previous day. The KSEB will hold a review meeting on the State’s power position on Friday, according to the Power department.
Rain deficient by 31%
Summer rainfall for the March 1-April 16 period has been deficient by 31%, according to the India Meteorological Department. The hydel reservoirs managed by the KSEB had 36% storage on Wednesday, equivalent to 1,489.23 million units (mu). Of this, the KSEB needs to have storage equivalent to 600-650 mu as reserve on June 1 to address a potential shortage in monsoon rainfall.
With summer rainfall almost nil, the KSEB has been keeping internal hydel generation to a minimum. Of the 106.24 mu consumed on Wednesday, Kerala’s own hydel generation accounted for just 22.48 mu.
