Kerala saves 200 MW of power, minister thanks consumers for exercising self-control

The achievement was highlighted by state Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty, who said the power saving was thanks to the cooperation of the consumers, especially the big industries, in the state.

ByPTI

Published May 04, 2024 | 3:14 PMUpdatedMay 04, 2024 | 3:14 PM

Power transmission lines (Wikimedia Commons)

In the wake of the Kerala government coming out with certain proposals to control power consumption during peak hours, the southern state saved around 200 megawatts of electricity on 3 May.

The state Electricity Minister K Krishnankutty highlighted the achievement on Saturday, 4 May, saying the power saving was thanks to the cooperation of the consumers, especially the big industries, in Kerala.

“It is a big change. It happened thanks to the cooperation of the consumers,” he said.

The minister also said that the government was trying to ensure that restrictions proposed by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) do not affect domestic power consumers.

“Everyone has to cooperate and self-impose restrictions on their consumption. You (media) too should take it up as a campaign (to urge people to reduce power consumption). Otherwise, all of us will have to suffer,” he told reporters.

Also Read: Irked by power cut, people vandalise electricity board office

Issue of frequent power cuts 

Meanwhile, he said there was no load shedding or power cuts.

He said, “If a transformer trips due to overload, it does not constitute a power cut. Also, the time taken to resume the supply is only a few minutes.”

The minister said that a couple of days ago, the peak demand in the state was close to 6,000 MW. “If it crosses that, we will not get any power supply as the electricity cables will not be able to carry that load,” he said.

As the mercury rose in the state during the last few days, there were reports of frequent power cuts from various parts of Kerala.

Following that, the minister on 30 April said power cuts were occurring more often at night in the state due to technical issues arising in the substations as a result of the increased consumption.

He had urged consumers to exercise control when using electricity. He had also said that if people exercise restraint, then there will be no need for the KSEB to go for load shedding.

Thereafter, KSEB came out with its proposed restrictions during the 10 pm to 2 am peak hours and it included switching off lights in commercial establishments after 9 pm, setting the air-conditioner temperature at 26 degrees Celsius or more, big industries bringing in curbs on power consumption during this period, etc, according to the minister.

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