Thiruvananthapuram, 17 July (H.S.):With Kerala grappling with prolonged power restrictions due to soaring electricity demand, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has announced special measures to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply during the FIFA World Cup final on July 19, even as consumers across the state continue to experience scheduled outages.

The state remained under power restrictions for the fourth consecutive day as record electricity consumption across the country and a shortage of power in the market placed severe pressure on KSEB's ability to procure additional supply. India's peak electricity demand has touched nearly 300 GW, forcing the utility to implement load management measures of up to five hours in different parts of Kerala.

Most consumers have been experiencing two one-hour power cuts during the night as KSEB struggles to balance demand and supply. Officials said the board is negotiating fresh power purchase agreements to strengthen electricity availability in the coming months, especially with the Onam festival season expected to push demand even higher.

The utility currently relies heavily on the real-time electricity market, where electricity is purchased based on hourly demand and availability. Since confirmation of supply is received less than an hour before delivery, KSEB said it is often unable to notify consumers in advance about the timing of power interruptions. When sufficient power is unavailable, substations with higher loads are directed to temporarily disconnect selected feeders to maintain grid stability.

KSEB has appealed to consumers to reduce electricity consumption during peak evening hours by switching on air conditioners only at bedtime, setting temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius, and avoiding unnecessary use of lights and fans. The board estimates that reducing the state's peak demand by around 800 MW would eliminate the need for scheduled power cuts.

To avoid disruptions during the FIFA World Cup final, KSEB has decided to procure round-the-clock electricity at higher rates on July 19 and 20, as suppliers were unwilling to provide power only during night hours.

Meanwhile, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph said the proposed nuclear power plant at Cheemeni in Kasaragod could be operated safely, adding that the government would proceed only after comprehensive technical studies and consultations with political parties, experts and the public.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman