Surplus rainfall brightens energy outlook for Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram: With the inaugural spell of Southwest monsoon bringing surplus rainfall to Kerala, the energy outlook for the state, which relies heavily on hydro-electrical project, has brightened after passing through a searing summer of grim power crunch. The monsoon this season not only set in over Kerala promptly on 1 June but also brought excess rainfall of 41 percent since then, according to Indian Met Department here. [caption id=“attachment_864929” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters[/caption] The rainfall in the first five days of the monsoon onset had been heavy with the state getting 149.33 mm against the normal amount of 77.93 mm. Last year, the total rainfall received by the state was deficient by 24 percent during the southwest monsoon and 35 percent during the northeast monsoon periods. Deficiency in rainfall pushed the state into one of its worst power crisis, forcing the government to clamp 90 minutes loadshedding, half of which was during peak hours in the evening, curbs in consumption by non-domestic consumers. Since January, the state has been pinning its hopes entirely on good monsoon showers, which is crucial for the state to avoid sliding into darkness. While the entire state has been getting bountiful rainfall since the monsoon onset, what is of greater significance is that Idukki and Pathanamthitta districts have received excess rainfall, replenishing reservoirs in that area. With the prospects brightening, Kerala State Electricity Board has lifted the one-hour day-time loadshedding and the 30-minute peak-hour cut is expected to be dropped after a review in mid-June. According to KSEB, generation from hydroelectric projects accounts for bulk of the power available in its grid, with supply from thermal plants and small and micro projects and non-conventional sources yielding just a minor portion of the demand required. PTI