Kerala Hydel Reservoirs at 21% Capacity as Monsoon Deficit Worsens Power Crunch
As June draws to a close, Kerala's power sector continues to face challenges due to a weak southwest monsoon. The combined storage in the state's hydroelectric reservoirs stood at just 21% of capacity on June 26, the second lowest for this date in recent years, according to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB). This storage is equivalent to generating 871.26 million units (MU) of electricity.
When the monsoon officially arrived in Kerala on June 4, reservoir levels were even lower at 17%, or 721.11 MU. Data from the load dispatch centre indicates that the situation has improved only marginally since then.
To conserve water, the KSEB has been forced to limit hydroelectric generation, particularly from the 780 MW Idukki project. Daily generation from all hydel reservoirs averaged just 11.7 MU in June, while daily consumption averaged 88 MU. To bridge this gap, the state has relied on power imports, which averaged 74.3 MU per day.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Kerala recorded a rainfall deficiency of 36% for the period June 1–27. All districts except Thiruvananthapuram and Pathanamthitta reported deficient rainfall during this period.
In response to the power shortage, the KSEB has petitioned the State Electricity Regulatory Commission for approval to purchase short-term power to meet peak demand from June 15 to December 31, excluding September. A decision on the petition is pending.
Hydel power accounts for a significant share of Kerala's electricity generation, and low reservoir levels raise concerns about power availability in the coming months. The situation underscores the state's vulnerability to monsoon variability and the need for diversified energy sources.
