Kerala stares at rising power purchase cost, asks consumers to clear bills
Kerala’s cost for purchasing power could increase two-fold, as it is dependent on other states for at least 75 per cent of its requirement at time when India’s coal stocks are at critical levels.
Kerala, in financial year 2020-21, consumed 22,000 lakh crore units of power, procuring 78 per cent of it from other states. Complicating the state’s task, peak consumption time increased from 6 pm to 11 pm in a year compared to 10 pm before. For the last few weeks, the state has reportedly seen a decline in purchase from other states of around 300-500 MW.
If the crisis persists, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) may have to purchase power at Rs 18-20 per unit compared to around Rs 6 per unit now.
