According to the State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC) data, the State anticipated a peak demand of 4,850 MW in September. However, soaring temperatures have pushed the demand up to 5,450 MW, forcing the KSEB to impose power cuts.
KSEB sources say under the power-swap agreements, the board must return electricity borrowed from other States to manage high consumption between January and April 2026.
“As per the contract, the KSEB is returning 0.87 mu across three hours, 1.043 mu over 16 hours, 0.237 mu in one hour, 0.624 mu over two hours, and 0.688 mu over another two hours. In total, 3.4 mu is returned across staggered slots over a 24-hour period daily. This arrangement remains in effect until September 30. The power was drawn under a bilateral contract and must be returned,” says an official.
Officials say the KSEB typically relies on run-of-the-river hydel projects — such as the Thottiyar small hydro project that operates without reservoir storage — to meet swap commitments during September. This year, however, reduced river discharge and soaring domestic demand have compounded the crisis.
The KSEB also routinely attempts to purchase electricity from the real-time energy market to handle peak deficit. “It placed bids to procure 3,000 to 4,000 MW from the real-time market, but actual supply cleared was under 100 MW,” says an officer.
With peak demand exceeding 5,400 MW, the KSEB managed to arrange 4,850 MW from internal and external sources, leaving a shortfall of around 600 MW that had to be managed through peak-hour load shedding.
On Thursday, the power consumption in the State was 96.02 mu, which was 87.57 mu the same day last year. Hydel stations generated 24.83 mu on Thursday, with officials attributing the spike in demand to hot weather conditions linked to El Niño.
The water level in the Idukki reservoir was 2,368.46 ft (63% capacity) on Friday, compared to 2,382.04 ft (76%) the same day day last year.
