THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, September 14, 2026: Kerala received a major temporary relief from its ongoing electricity shortage after 1,024 MW of power was procured from the real-time electricity market, helping the state avoid power restrictions during the latest peak-demand period.
The additional power was secured at around ₹10 per unit, providing a short-term solution to the supply-demand gap that had forced the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to implement evening power restrictions in recent days.
Kerala has been facing an unusual surge in electricity consumption, with demand reaching levels normally associated with the summer months. On Friday, peak demand reportedly touched around 5,400 MW, while overall daily consumption stood at about 96.4 million units. Consumption subsequently eased slightly to around 94.94 million units.
The crisis has been linked to higher temperatures, deficient rainfall and reduced availability of electricity through the national power market. KSEB has also faced lower-than-expected supplies from central generating stations, while a 200 MW power-swap arrangement with Madhya Pradesh was unavailable during the shortage.
Despite the immediate relief, officials have cautioned that the underlying supply problem has not been fully resolved. KSEB is exploring additional sources of electricity and has decided to seek power from other states. Board directors are scheduled to hold discussions with officials in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Bihar regarding additional power availability.
Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph has also said that the state is examining all possible options to secure additional power, including purchasing electricity at higher prices if necessary. He has urged consumers to reduce unnecessary consumption as the state works to manage the continuing shortage.
The 1,024 MW procurement therefore offers immediate breathing room for Kerala, but officials continue to look for more sustainable arrangements to prevent further power restrictions if demand remains high.
