Kerala has requested enhanced allocation from Central Generating Stations (CGS) to address the increase in electricity demand expected during the 2025 summer months.
Observing that the peak demand could touch 6,000 MW during the summer months, the state power department on Sunday urged Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, who reviewed Kerala’s power sector projects here on Sunday, to allocate more power at affordable rates.
The state also suggested a number of measures to address the heat demand, such as derating from 180 megawatts (MW) to 400 MW from Talcher II station of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Ltd. The state wants to extend the allocation from NTPC Bar thermal power station to 400 MW till June 2025, which will help in curbing power shortage. Kerala’s current allocation from this plant is 177 MW till March 2025, according to the state power department.
Besides, it has also sought allocation of 350 MW from Rajasthan Atomic Power Station of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL).
In the last financial year, power demand had exceeded projections and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) expected it to grow by 4% to 5% this year. Also, by 2029-30, peak demand is expected to cross the 8,000 MW-mark, the state electricity authority said in a presentation on Sunday.
40% VGF
The state government urged the Center to announce 40% Viability Gap Fund (VGF) for hydropower projects and pumped storage projects (PSP). The government has also requested financial assistance for setting up Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) of 3,000 MW to 5,000 MW capacity to manage peak demand.
Kerala has recommended the Center to declare the Raigarh-Pugalur-Thrissur high-voltage direct current (HVDC) power transmission network as a national asset.
published – December 22, 2024 at 06:35 PM IST