Keralam power purchase row: Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan alleges irregularities in decision to procure 200 MW from VEH Global

Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan has alleged that the United Democratic Front (UDF) government decided to purchase electricity from a firm called VEH Global at a relatively high price of ₹11 per unit without inviting bids or securing the approval of the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC).According to the Leader of the Opposition, a supply of 200 MW was secured merely on the strength of an offer made by the firm. The Commission has not yet approved this power purchase, Mr. Vijayan said.According to him, the government entered into this deal when wind energy costs just ₹3 or ₹4 per unit. The UDF decision entails a huge loss for the exchequer, he said.Mr. Vijayan also alleged that VEH Global was ineligible to participate in a tender process. According to him, the government issued orders on September 22 allowing power procurement from this firm. The same order mentioned its ineligibility, he said.Recently, the UDF government’s decision to procure electricity from over-the-counter (OTC) platform GNA Energy allegedly overlooking an offer from the Himachal Pradesh government had sparked a major political row in Keralam.On Sunday (November 15, 2026), Mr. Vijayan demanded that Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan explain to the people on what basis was the agreement with VEH Global entered into. On the corruption allegations related to the GNA Energy deal, Mr. Satheesan had defended himself saying that no agreement had been inked with GNA. However, in this case, he cannot say so, Mr. Vijayan said. Published - November 15, 2026 05:15 pm IST