Kannur, Kerala Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph on Friday stated that no disagreements exist between him and Chief Minister V D Satheesan concerning power procurement, emphasizing that the administration continues working to secure electricity through long-term contracts to satisfy escalating state demand.
Addressing reporters in Kannur, Joseph explained that although no immediate electricity shortage exists, officials cannot disregard mounting consumption levels, particularly during upcoming summer months. He additionally clarified that the state has not finalized any pact with private electricity procurement platform GNA and holds no current intentions to move forward with such an arrangement.
Earlier discussions involved Chief Minister Satheesan mentioning potential power procurement from General Network Access at a reduced cost, though he later clarified that no formal contract was executed. Responding to inquiries about alleged friction with Satheesan over GNA, Joseph rejected the notion, noting that no formal choice had been locked in at the time and that initial media reports were inaccurate. He added that everything has been settled through dialogue.
Detailing the evaluation of the proposed GNA framework, Joseph mentioned that the administration analyzed both benefits and practical challenges of utilizing the private platform. Despite a seemingly lower quoted rate compared to alternative options, the setup carried operational complexities, including mandatory power purchases across both day and night hours.
The minister noted that the chief minister was briefed on these operational difficulties and practical differences, confirming that no agreement with GNA will be pursued at this time. He also refuted claims that the Kerala State Electricity Board exaggerated potential supply shortages to advance the GNA proposal, maintaining that the department simply drew attention to rising power needs.
Joseph emphasized the necessity of planning for future electricity demands proactively rather than waiting for a severe shortage to materialize. He noted that while recent rainfall, cooler northern Indian weather, and Deepavali holidays temporarily lowered demand and eased the supply situation, the broader crisis remains unresolved, prompting ongoing efforts to secure long-term summer power supplies.
Highlighting recent progress, Joseph pointed to discussions held in New Delhi roughly a month ago involving himself, the chief minister, and the NTPC chairman, which successfully secured an additional 540 MW of electricity from NTPC. According to the minister, NTPC agreed to supply two separate blocks of 270 MW, enabling the state to acquire power at relatively lower rates.
While offering short-term relief, Joseph stressed that additional long-term procurement pacts remain essential for managing summer demand. He pointed out that Kerala's consumption has climbed steadily, increasing by roughly 1,000 MW compared to the previous year and more than doubling over the past decade, while internal generation capacity has lagged far behind.
Over the last ten years, statewide electricity demand has surged by approximately 2,500 MW, whereas local generation has expanded by only 150 MW, leaving the state heavily reliant on hydropower. Addressing rooftop solar generation, the minister cautioned that it cannot fully resolve the state's energy deficit because household solar power feeds into the grid primarily during daylight hours, while Kerala experiences peak demand at night.
To bridge this gap, Joseph stated that the state must utilize battery storage systems to capture daytime solar energy for nighttime use. The government plans to encourage decentralized battery storage initiatives involving local self-governing bodies and cooperative institutions, supported by an initial budget allocation of ā¹100 crore alongside potential bank loans and subsidies.
Addressing criticism from UDF convenor Adoor Prakash regarding alleged ministerial coordination issues, Joseph firmly rejected the claims, asserting that any confusion had been resolved and that collective responsibility guides the cabinet.