Power crisis averted

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Though it was feared that the crisis induced by cyclone ‘Thane’ at Neyveli would plunge Kerala into yet another power shortage, the state managed to scrape through, thanks to Puducherry.The Union Territory surrendered its Central share after its power transmission lines snapped off under the cyclone impact.Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed had said the KSEB might be forced to resort to loadshedding for three days, starting Friday, owing to the crisis at Neyveli.On Friday, the loadshedding was averted after Puducherry surrendered 200 MW and it was sourced to Kerala. On Saturday, Puducherry surrendered 150 MW, which again, benefitted Kerala.“On Sunday also, we managed to get through with Puducherry’s share plus the power we get from other sources,” Aryadan said.With Neyveli plant non-functional, the state had faced a daily shortage in its Central share of about 180 MW. The state’s daily share is 1134 MW, but after transmission losses and other factors, its comes to about 950 MW.On Sunday, however, another crisis occurred at the Orissa Talcher-II unit which provides 440 MW daily to Kerala.A rail derailment disrupted coal transportation to the plant, forcing it to slash power generation to 70 per cent of its capacity. This resulted in over 100 MW shortage for Kerala, the minister said. To meet Sunday’s demand, the KSEB purchased nearly 300 MW from private firms and another 70 MW through the Power Exchange.