The Aryavarth Express
Agency (Kerala): The Kerala government is calling for residents to conserve electricity as the state grapples with a surge in power consumption due to an ongoing heatwave. This increase has led to frequent technical disruptions, particularly at night, causing power outages across various districts.
Kerala Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty highlighted the issue, noting that substations are becoming overloaded due to the higher use of air conditioners and other cooling devices. This overloading often results in power supply tripping as a precautionary measure to prevent damage. On April 29, the state’s power consumption peaked at 113.14 million units (MU), significantly above the desired level of less than 100 MU.
Minister Krishnankutty explained that if residents could limit their electricity use, especially by reducing the hours air conditioners are operated, it would help mitigate the risk of overloads and avoid the need for load shedding by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).
The issue has sparked protests in parts of Kerala, including Aluva and Malappuram, where locals have demonstrated against the late-night blackouts and the slow response from KSEB officials. The minister expressed frustration over the public demand for more power without supporting the necessary infrastructure upgrades, such as additional substations, which have faced local opposition.
In response to the crisis, the state government has decided to maintain current practices until June 30, with a meeting scheduled for May 2 to further discuss and potentially revise power management strategies. This situation underscores the challenges of balancing energy supply and infrastructure development with public expectations and environmental factors.