Power regulation not now: Commission to KSEB

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Authority (KSERC) on Wednesday rejected the decision of KSEB to impose a 25% curb on power to industries and restriction of power to domestic consumers using about 200 units of power monthly.

The commission advised the consumers to limit their power consumption and also clarified that it would consider the demand of KSEB on November.

The commission ordered that power shall not be used for display lighting, hoarding, external illumination of buildings and other publicity and sales promotion purposes. Distribution licensees, including KSEB, shall be free to discontinue supply to consumers using power for such purposes.

All other HT and EHT (extra high-tension) consumers must limit consumption during peak hours to 75 per cent of normal average peak consumption with immediate effect, an interim KSERC order issued on Wednesday said.

If the power position continues to be bad even after the northeast monsoon, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) may furnish necessary inputs to the commission.

Details of consumption and the reduction achieved during peak hours by these consumers may be submitted by the end of November 2012.

The commission will issue its final orders on the present petition of KSEB on reviewing the situation thereafter.

The commission directed KSEB to initiate immediate action for medium-term and long-term power purchase and aggressive promotional steps for alternative sources to avoid dependence on high-cost liquid power sources in future.

Earlier, the KSEB had submitted to the commission that the power situation had become most critical due to the combined impact of a number of factors, including failure of the monsoon and consequent reduction in inflow and hydel generation.

The southwest monsoon contributes about 65 per cent of the total inflow. Considering the trend, the northeast monsoon is also likely to be less than normal, it said.