Keralam explores various options to tide over power shortage: Minister

The Keralam government is exploring all possible options, including procuring electricity from other States and Central entities, to tide over the ongoing power shortage, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph has said.Speaking to media persons on Sunday (September 13, 2026), Mr. Joseph said steps would be taken to obtain necessary approval from the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission to procure power at higher rates, if needed. The government was also considering sending Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) board members to other States to explore the availability of surplus power, he said. “Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has given permission for the visit,” Mr. Joseph said.The Minister said it was difficult to specify how long the power shortage would continue. Reduced availability of power amid deficient rainfall and a sharp increase in consumption had contributed to the crisis, he said.“Demand has increased by more than 1,000 MW compared to last year, but generation has not increased correspondingly,” Mr. Joseph said.Supply-demand imbalanceWith power availability declining, procuring electricity from outside at higher prices has become necessary, he said. The supply-demand imbalance has also pushed up prices in the power market, he added.Mr. Joseph said the crisis had highlighted the need for a new electricity policy focussing on increasing power generation and regulating consumption. He appealed to consumers to avoid unnecessary use of electricity while continuing to meet essential needs. “If we understand that the availability of electricity is limited and use it carefully, it can make a difference,” he said.On complaints about power outages without prior notice, Mr. Joseph said the government had instructed officials to inform consumers about scheduled restrictions. However, emergency outages could occur when the Regional Load Despatch Centre (RLDC) in Bengaluru directed the KSEB to switch off feeders to maintain grid stability. In such situations, feeders might have to be switched off without prior notice, he said.Rejecting criticism that the power cuts were solely the responsibility of the present United Democratic Front (UDF) government, Mr. Joseph said the crisis had several underlying factors and that it would be unfair to attribute it entirely to the government or the present Minister. He also argued that the present crisis would not have arisen had the long-term power purchase agreement signed during the tenure of the former Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed not been cancelled.The Electricity Minister said that power had gone off at programmes he had attended. However, he said he did not believe that the interruption had been caused deliberately. The government would examine whether anyone was intentionally switching off the power, he added.Mr. Joseph, who is also the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, attended N.P. Moideen memorial event at Kozhikode District Congress Committee office. Published - September 13, 2026 08:05 pm IST