No Official Load Shedding in Kerala, Power Interruptions Due to Grid Overload, Says Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty has reiterated that the state has not officially implemented load shedding. Speaking after a high-level meeting with members of the Electricity Regulatory Commission to discuss the ongoing power crisis, the Minister explained that the current interruptions are not intentional power cuts but are instead technical “trips” occurring in power lines due to a massive surge in consumption.

The Minister pointedly blamed the Regulatory Commission for the current situation, citing a delay in approving the procurement of electricity from external sources. He noted that the Commission failed to act quickly on KSEB’s application to purchase 250 MW of power. Minister Krishnankutty emphasized that the Commission has a responsibility to process board applications promptly and suggested that the reasons for the delay should be addressed by the Commission itself.

Despite these official clarifications, residents across the state continue to experience significant power disruptions. Many areas are reporting half-hour outages between 6:00 PM and midnight. Critics have pointed out that despite dams having more water than in the past three years, a lack of planning in generation and distribution has led to this crisis. The state government is currently working to resolve the friction between KSEB and the Regulatory Commission to ensure a steady power supply for consumers.