Kerala Faces Extended Power Curbs as Monsoon Deficit Worsens Electricity Crisis

Kerala is likely to continue its post-6 p.m. power curbs due to a weak southwest monsoon and a nationwide surge in electricity demand, according to official statements. Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph stated that the state faces a deficit of 500 MW to 600 MW in availability.

The Minister attributed the crisis to a combination of factors: a spike in demand during July, low storage in hydroelectric reservoirs because of deficient monsoon rains, and a nationwide increase in electricity demand linked to El Nino-induced warm temperatures. Kerala generates only about 30% of its electricity needs, mostly from hydropower, which depends heavily on monsoon rainfall.

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government describes the curbs as on a “limited scale,” but complaints of unscheduled load-sheddings lasting 15 minutes to one hour have emerged. The Power Department reported that peak demand rose from 3,500-3,600 MW in July 2025 to 4,600-4,800 MW this July. Combined storage in hydel reservoirs managed by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) stands at 29% of total capacity, equivalent to 1,192.20 million units, compared to about 60% last year. The storage in the Idukki project, the state’s largest, is also at 29%.

Kerala meets its daily demand through internal generation of 1,600 MW and purchases from Central Generating Stations (1,700 MW), long-term contracts (650 MW), and short-term contracts (150 MW). Following a review on July 15, 2026, the Power Department urged industrial and commercial consumers to introduce shift systems to regulate evening use, and advised general consumers to avoid decorative lighting, set air conditioners at 25°C or above, charge electric vehicles during the day, and avoid using water pumps, heaters, washing machines, induction cookers, and irons after 6 p.m.

The situation is exacerbated by the monsoon months being the period when Kerala returns power availed under ‘swap’ arrangements with other states to meet summer demand. This return period ends on September 15. The opposition CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has criticised the curbs, with former Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal alleging “day-and-night current cuts” in a Facebook post. He referred to them as “Indira Cuts,” a play on the Congress’s ‘Indira Guarantees.’ However, the curbs were first introduced by the KSEB on April 28, before the UDF government took over, to preserve grid stability. The UDF government continued them in June on a limited scale due to the nationwide shortage.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kerala has recorded a 33% shortfall in southwest monsoon rainfall between June 1 and July 16, with only two of 14 districts receiving normal precipitation.