Mon Apr 07 12:32:30 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Faces Power Crunch Despite Excess Rainfall
**Thiruvananthapuram, April 7, 2025** – Despite receiving 112% more rainfall than normal since March 1st, Kerala is facing a power crunch due to low water levels in hydroelectric reservoirs. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is reducing hydel power generation, relying heavily on power imports to meet the state’s demand.
Hydroelectric generation has fallen below 15 million units (mu) daily in April, according to load despatch centre data. Reservoir storage is critically low at 46% of capacity (1,902.66 mu), down from 56% at the start of the summer season. The Idukki reservoir, vital to the 780 MW Idukki project, also stands at 46% capacity.
While the excess rainfall initially lowered electricity consumption, daily consumption briefly exceeded 100 mu on March 4th. However, subsequent cooler temperatures kept consumption below 90 mu. Nevertheless, the KSEB is heavily reliant on power imports from central generating stations and deals with other utilities. On Saturday, for example, only 10.67 mu of the 89.16 mu consumed was generated internally, with the remaining 78.48 mu imported. The situation highlights the complex interplay between rainfall, water storage, and electricity generation in the state.
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