Delay in Edamon-Kochi line may put state in power crisis

By- B S Anilkumar
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Unless the weak monsoon makes a torrential comeback, Kerala could slip into a major power crisis in another 10 days. KSEB was all set to charge the Edamon-Kochi 400kV power transmission line in a few days and thus resolve the fresh crisis caused by insufficient rainfall.
Then, central government-run Power Grid Corporation Ltd (PGCL) lost the lone case that had been pending against the alignment of the powerline, the work of which had begun way back in 2008. “A division bench has set aside the high court single bench order in favour of PGCL in a case filed by a prominent jewellery chain owner seeking a change in the alignment of the power transmission line. The order pronounced by the division bench a fortnight ago could upset KSEB’s shortterm plan to meet the power deficit,” said KSEB sources close to the development.
Over 99% of the linestringing works on the 148km stretch has been completed. The power line could be charged after two day’s work.
The beleaguered power line work that dragged on for over a decade was conceived as a major boost to the transmission network.
The 400kV line could enhance the inter-state power wheeling capacity of the state by 1,000MW. The project had met several roadblocks, especially in the form of protests by rubber growers. Following several rounds of discussions, the compensation for land owners was fixed at five times the market value.
“The board has contracted 70% of power from outside the state. It was done under the impression that the state would be receiving a normal monsoon, helping the board to sustain the 30% power the state needs throughout the period. Now, rain is scant and water left in our major reservoirs could last for another 10 days only, unless it rains heavily. If showers continue to elude the catchment areas, the board would be left with no choice than managing the distribution system by introducing power restrictions,” said one of the director board members of the board.
Since all the available transmission corridors are chocked, we are left with no other choice.
If the Edamon-Kochi line was completed as expected, the board could have brought additional power through this line and solved the crisis, he said.