Keralites will face evening power restrictions for at least the next 15 days as the state confronts an unprecedented power crisis. A review meeting chaired by Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph resolved to impose restrictions from six pm to 12 midnight from June 17 to 30. The decision followed assessments that scheduled supplies and local generation would be insufficient to meet sustained demand.

The crisis stems from concern over a possible monsoon failure linked to El Niño, falling water storage in Kerala State Electricity Board reservoirs and obligations under a SWAP agreement. Storage is down to 21 per cent and the state faces a 14 per cent rainfall deficit, and meteorologists warned that El Niño conditions may strengthen in July and August and may suppress the moisture-laden winds that bring rain. Officials said continued dry weather could leave dams depleted.

The board had procured power from north Indian states under the SWAP agreement during March to May and must return supply from June 16 to September 30. Power demand surged to 118.26 million (mn) units on April 27 while peak hour demand crossed 6,000 megawatt (MW) in the third week of April, and the plan had been to use higher hydel output during the monsoon. KSEB figures show 596 mn units were procured through SWAP and 609.72 mn units must be returned from June 16.

Maximum power available is 4,013 MW, comprising 1,700 MW internal generation, 1,701 MW from the central grid and 612 MW through long term agreements, leaving a shortfall of 900 MW from June 16 to 30. Availability from the power exchange has fallen to five per cent, prompting the board to impose peak hour restrictions to manage supply. The review instructed the chairman to explore additional purchases from the Real Time Market and Day Ahead Market and authorised restrictions if extra power cannot be secured until monsoon rains improve.