Thiruvananthapuram: Amidst soaring temperatures and a record surge in electricity consumption, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has announced scheduled power regulations across the state. Under the new “Peak Load Management” plan, power supply may be disrupted for 15 to 30 minutes in various regions.
Key Highlights:
- Duration: Power outages will last between 15 and 30 minutes.
- Peak Hours: Regulations are primarily expected between 6:00 PM and 11:00 PM.
- Notification: KSEB aims to notify consumers via SMS wherever possible.
- Reason: Heavy load on the power grid due to extreme summer heat.
Rising Demand Forces Regulations
The decision comes as Kerala grapples with an intense heatwave, leading to an unprecedented spike in the use of air conditioners and cooling appliances. KSEB officials stated that without these minor regulations, maintaining the stability of the entire power grid would be challenging.
While several areas had already been experiencing unannounced power cuts—leading to public dissatisfaction—the Board has now moved to formalize these disruptions as part of a strategic load-shedding measure.
Localized Management
The outages will not be uniform across the state. Instead, they will be implemented locally based on the real-time load recorded at specific substations. “Peak Load Management is essential to prevent a total grid failure. We request the public to cooperate by reducing the use of non-essential electrical equipment during peak hours,” a KSEB representative stated.
The Board has also urged consumers to limit the use of heavy appliances like washing machines, pumps, and water heaters during the 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM window to help stabilize the supply.
