There will be no power cuts this year: M M Mani

Thiruvananthapuram: Despite no substantial improvement in

power

generation, the state would continue to manage without power cuts this year as well, electricity minister

M M Mani

said. Arrangements were in place for managing power requirements of the state, the minister said on Wednesday adding that if need arises, more power would be brought from outside the state. “Water in major reservoirs would last till June. Kudankulam power highway would enhance the state’s capacity to bring more power from outside. Hence, the question of power cut doesn’t arise at all,” he said.

KSEB, meanwhile, is going ahead with the plans for setting up a second power generation unit in Idukki using the existing reservoir. Mani was talking to reporters after signing an agreement between

KSEB

and Tata Solar Power for generation of 35MW solar power from rooftop installations. Other two agencies that have been shortlisted by KSEB for setting up and operating roof mounted solar power generating units in the state include state government agency INKEL and Waarees, a solar panel manufacturing company. “With increasing public resistance to take forward hydel power projects such as Athirappally for which KSEB had already obtained necessary clearances from agencies concerned, we need to focus more on solar power generation,” he said. “Kerala is planning to scale up its solar power generation capabilities to 1,000MW. This presently is below 200MW. During the initial phase, the empanelled agencies together would ensure generation of 46.5MW solar power from rooftop solar units. Of this, 23MW would be from house rooftops, 14MW from other private rooftops and 9.5MW using government buildings. The target set for generation from roof top units is 500MW. The rest 500MW would be generated using floating solar panels to be deployed in reservoirs, including Idukki dam. The board had deployed floating panels in Banasurasagar dam on a pilot basis. Feasibility studies have proven that Idukki dam would be able to hold such panels that could generate up to 400MW solar power.”

Check out the Valentine Day 2025 , along with the Valentine’s Day Wishes and Messages.