Rising Demand, Not Load Shedding, Behind Brief Kerala Power Outages: Minister

Peak usage hit an all-time high of 117.16 million units on April 18, while evening demand between 6 pm and 10 pm reached a record 6,033 MW. The strain on the transmission and distribution network has caused voltage fluctuations in some areas.

KSEB has urged consumers to cut electricity use between 6 pm and 11 pm and avoid high-power appliances such as pump sets, induction cookers, washing machines, and air conditioners during peak hours. Kerala Power Minister K. Krishnankutty clarified there is no unannounced load shedding, noting that brief outages lasting around 15 minutes at night in some areas are due to high demand.

The government has approached the regulatory commission seeking approval to procure additional power, though at higher costs. They urged consumers to limit power usage during peak hours.

Opposition UDF attacks the Government

Meanwhile, the Opposition UDF alleged that the state is experiencing unannounced load shedding during night hours. They accused the government of misleading the public with earlier claims of uninterrupted power supply.

Satheeshan demanded that the restrictions on power consumption be withdrawn immediately. He alleged irregularities in power procurement decisions, claiming that earlier long-term low-cost agreements were discontinued by the current administration, leading to the present crisis. The Opposition UDF plans to seek a probe into the alleged corruption behind the power sector decisions.

Kerala PCC president Sunny Joseph said the government was ignoring the reality faced by consumers. He stated that the power minister was making false claims about the absence of load shedding, while people are experiencing daily power cuts. He accused the government of being in denial.