Power use soars but no need for panic yet

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a dramatic deviation from the norm, daily power consumption during the last week of August and early September has shown a massive rise.

Still, as a result of an interplay of favourable internal and external factors, there is no immediate threat to the power security of the state.

Normally, during the last week of August, a period when monsoon begins to wane, the daily consumption is termed in KSEB circles as “sedate” 48-50 million units.

This year, with the monsoon as reclusive as ladies in a conservative household, consumption has shot up to 65 MU.

The southwest monsoon has been at least 30 per cent deficient this year; minimum and maximum temperatures as a consequence have risen.

However, heavy summer showers during February and March have adequately replenished the state’s reservoirs.

The Idukki reservoir, for instance, has enough water to generate 1250 MU of energy, almost the same as last year when there were copious rains.

A cause for concern is the increased generation from the state’s hydel stations. If the norm during the last week of August is below 20 MU, this year it was more than 25 MU.

The inflow-generation gap is increasing; if the generation is 25 MU, the inflow is only 13 MU. Sound planning has helped KSEB Limited to offset this hitch.

KSEBL sources 40 per cent to nearly 70 per cent of its needs from highly cost-effective central generating stations where the cost per unit is less than Rs 2 per unit.

Compared to last year, costly purchases from naphtha and diesel plants are virtually zero.

If last year KSEBL lifted 12.68 MU daily from stations like NTPC Kayamkulam and Brahmapuram Diesel Plant at an average of Rs 12 per unit, this time the purchase is limited to a negligible 0.34 MU.

With crude oil prices moderating, even this minor purchase is made at a far lesser cost per unit.