Thiruvananthapuram, April 19: Kerala is facing a growing electricity crisis as soaring summer temperatures push power consumption to record levels across the state.
According to officials, electricity usage has crossed 117 million units, with peak demand rising to around 6,033 MW, marking one of the highest levels ever recorded.
The surge in demand is largely attributed to the ongoing heatwave, with districts like Palakkad and Kollam recording extremely high temperatures. Increased use of air conditioners, fans, and cooling appliances has significantly added to the load on the power grid.
Authorities have warned that the situation could lead to power cuts if demand continues to rise, though efforts are being made to avoid load shedding.
The Kerala State Electricity Board is under pressure to manage supply, as local power generation—mainly hydel—meets only a portion of the state’s total requirement. The rest has to be sourced from outside at higher costs.
Experts point out that reduced power availability, coupled with infrastructure limitations and rising consumption, has created a challenging situation for the state’s power sector.
The government has urged consumers to use electricity judiciously, especially during peak hours, to help manage the crisis. Meanwhile, slight relief is expected if summer rains arrive in the coming weeks.