KSERC denies KSEB's request for long-term power contract approval

19 May 2023 CW Team

The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) has rejected a series of long-term power purchase agreements totaling 465 MW that were made by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).

The KSEB had requested approval for multiple power supply agreements (PSAs) with Jhabua Power (115 MW), Jindal Power (150 MW), Jindal India Thermal Power (100 MW), and Jhabua Power (100 MW) under 25-year Design, Build, Finance, Own and Operate (DBFOO) contracts. However, in an order issued on May 10, T K Jose, Commission chairman and A J Wilson, member stated that the Commission is rejecting the KSEB's petition for final orders regarding the power drawal from the "unapproved PSAs."

The KSEB had faced criticism for various violations in the execution of these long-term purchase agreements. These violations included not adhering to the guidelines set by the Ministry of Power, deviations in the selection of bidders and power capacity, and failing to obtain prior approval from the Commission for signing power purchase agreements with the power generators.

It was highlighted that some of these deviations could have resulted in an additional liability of Rs 2.37 billion per year.

The power purchase agreements for 465 MW were part of a larger long-term procurement plan for 865 MW, for which power supply agreements were already made in 2016 and 2017.

However, the Electricity Regulatory Commission identified certain procedural deviations in the agreements. It was discovered that the KSEB had not obtained prior approval from either the Commission or the Central government for these agreements or the deviations from the guidelines. The KSEB, on the other hand, denied any wrongdoing.

Also read:
GAIL to build Maharashtra ethane cracker at Rs 400 bn
Noida, Greater Noida to set up waste-to-energy plant

Infrastructure Transport

01 Jun 2026

MMRDA advances 250 m on Orange Gate–Marine Drive tunnel

The Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has completed 250 m of underground tunnelling for the Orange Gate–Marine Drive Urban Road Tunnel using India’s largest slurry shield tunnel boring machine (TBM) deployed for an urban road project.The project involves twin tunnels extending over 7 km beneath critical transport corridors, including Central Railway, Western Railway and Metro Line 3. The work requires high-precision engineering to navigate densely developed urban infrastructure.Once completed, the tunnel is expected to reduce travel time between Orange Gate and Marin..

Hindustan Zinc Pays Rs 188.46 Billion in FY26

Hindustan Zinc contributed Rs 188.46 billion to the public exchequer in FY 2025-26, according to its 9th Tax Transparency Report. The contribution, equivalent to 46 per cent of the company’s revenue, included direct and indirect taxes, government royalties, dividends to the Government of India, withholding taxes and other statutory levies.The company’s five-year cumulative contribution to the exchequer stood at Rs 915.72 billion. In FY26, Hindustan Zinc reported revenue of Rs 408.44 billion, EBITDA of Rs 221.62 billion and profit after tax of Rs 138.32 billion. It also achieved its highest..

World of Concrete India 2026 Opens in Mumbai

Informa Markets in India will host the 12th edition of World of Concrete India 2026 from 3–5 June 2026 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai. The specialised B2B exhibition will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, developers, architects, consultants, infrastructure companies, project leaders and government stakeholders.The event is expected to feature over 350 brands and more than 18,000 trade professionals. It will cover concrete and cement, dry mortar, precast technologies, formwork, construction chemicals, industrial and commercial flooring, scaffolding, safety solutio..