THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has warned of power outages as reservoirs of its hydroelectric projects are fast drying up.
The dams now hold water sufficient to generate power only for a fortnight. If the southwest monsoon doesn't show leniency, there will be load shedding from Aug 16, KSEB chairman N. S. Pillai said after a review meeting Saturday.
Shortage of rainfall has severely affected the KSEB's hydel power generation.
Kerala has been purchasing more than 75 per cent of its power from outside.
Last month, the KSEB had said that there would be no load shedding. "Depending on the rainfall, the board will take further course of action," said Mr Pillai.
The next meeting will be held here on Aug 16, to make a conclusive decision. KSEB officials are hoping the monsoon to intensify during the next few days.
While hydroelectric power projects form 12 per cent of India's installed capacity, it's 72 per cent in Kerala, and the state plunges into deep power crisis when it receives less rain.
As of Saturday, Kerala had a shortage of 33.81 per cent in the seasonal southwest monsoon that set in on June 8.
In 2018, Kerala produced only 5,474 million units while it consumed 21,159 million units.
KSEB purchases power from National Power Exchange at an average rate of Rs 6 per unit, which fluctuates according to demand.
