Keralam Seeks Power from Seven States to End Crisis

The Government of Keralam is pursuing multiple procurement channels to resolve an ongoing electricity crisis. Chief Minister VD Satheesan announced that the state has approached seven other states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Himachal Pradesh, to purchase power. A state delegation also traveled to Mumbai to negotiate increased electricity purchases with the Nuclear Power Corporation of India.

Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph previously noted that the state is evaluating procurement from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), though such a move would require Cabinet approval due to the significant financial burden. Chief Minister Satheesan later clarified that the state cannot afford electricity at Rs 30 per unit, leaving the viability of NTPC purchases under review. The current shortage was partly attributed to a cancelled power purchase agreement from the tenure of former Minister Aryadan Mohammed and a delayed 200 MW power loan from Madhya Pradesh.

To prevent future shortages, the government is developing a long-term power policy focused on pumped storage and renewable energy. While the administration initially aimed to resolve the shortage by September 15, Minister Joseph stated he could not provide a definitive timeframe for when power restrictions would be lifted.