Thiruvananthapuram: In theory, the state’s power position looks secure. KSEB Limited, which is now faced with a daily power deficit of nearly 300 MW, has signed agreements with power traders in North India for more than 1,000 MW. But the reality is unsettling. The transmission lines that evacuate power to the state's grid are insufficient. In short, the state has the power, not the network to distribute it.
KSEBL, for instance, has entered into agreements with NVVN Limited and PTC India Limited for a total of 397 MW. “We will get the contracted power provided we complete the Mysore-Areekode 400 kv line,” a top KSEB official said. The line was supposed to be completed in 2007. It is officially stated that the line would be completed by the end of September. However, this line alone will not be enough to evacuate the 397 MW from NVVN and PTC. The Narendra-Kolhapur line, outside the state’s ambit, should also be complete.
The Thirunelveli-Kochi-Madakkathara 400 KV line, drawn to evacuate power from Kudankulam Nuclear plant, too remains incomplete. The line is ready except for the Edamon-Kochi stretch. Lack of transmission lines makes even strategic long-term planning look redundant. KSEBL had recently secured a long-term cost-effective contract to bring in 865 MW from a trader in North India. But for the state to enjoy this power, long-delayed transmission stretches like Edamon-Kochi, Wardha-Hyderabad, and Ankul-Sreekakulam should be completed.
The state’s daily demand is 3700 MW. As of now, KSEBL can distribute a maximum of only 3,400 MW with our existing network (1,670 MW from hydel and thermal project and 1,730 MW from central generating stations and through power traders and excha-nges). “It is to meet this increased demand that we need to complete the existing projects on a war footing. The monsoon was miserable and as summer approaches, demand will shoot up,” said B. Pradeep, the president of KSEB Officers’ Association.
