Established in 2011, Kerala State Electrical energy Board Restricted (KSEBL) was re-vested beneath the Kerala Electrical energy Second Switch Scheme of 2013. It features as a totally built-in electrical energy utility, overseeing the era, transmission and distribution of electrical energy throughout almost 99 per cent of the state’s shoppers. From an preliminary put in capability of 109 MW in 1957, KSEBL has expanded to a powerful 2,482.42 MW as of 2023-24. The utility has achieved one of many lowest mixture technical and industrial (AT&C) losses within the nation, constantly sustaining losses in single digits.
To fulfill the rising energy demand, KSEBL goals to make sure 10,000 MW of energy availability within the state by 2030. The utility is prioritising grid modernisation and renewable vitality initiatives, with a deal with solar energy, vitality storage and revolutionary options resembling pumped storage crops. It is usually investing considerably in sensible metering and distribution infrastructure enhancements beneath the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Technology combine
Kerala’s vitality requirement has elevated considerably. Whereas the state’s inner producing capability is round 3,819 MW, energy demand within the state has elevated to five,301 MW in 2023-24.
The state’s era combine is dominated by renewable vitality, with hydropower contributing 1,904 MW, adopted by photo voltaic vitality at 1,314 MW. Small-hydro tasks account for 276.52 MW, whereas thermal energy accounts for 537 MW. Wind vitality and biopower contribute 63.5 MW and a couple of.5 MW respectively.
Throughout 2023-24, KSEBL added substantial renewable vitality capability. This included 244.34 MW of photo voltaic capability, surpassing the state’s whole photo voltaic capability of 1 GW. Additionally, the 6 MW Peruvannamoozhi small hydroelectric undertaking (HEP) was inaugurated. Beneath PM-KUSUM, installations aggregating 1.3 MW had been accomplished at eight websites. Within the ongoing monetary 12 months (2024-25), KSEBL lately commissioned the Thottiyar HEP (40 MW). The 60 MW Pallivasal extension scheme in Idukki can be nearing completion.
Transmission and distribution
Throughout 2023-24, the state witnessed the commissioning of seven further excessive pressure (EHT) substations, together with Kerala’s first 400 kV gas-insulated substation at Kottayam, and the addition of 297 ckt km of transmission traces. The state’s import capability elevated by almost 1,000 MW.
At a latest Energy Line convention, Biju Prabhakar, Chairman and Managing Director, KSEBL, shared that the utility has one of many lowest AT&C losses within the nation, at 7.55 per cent in 2023-24. In 2021-22 and 2022-23, AT&C losses had been decreased to eight.26 per cent and seven.55 per cent, respectively, in comparison with the trajectory targets of 13 per cent and 12.2 per cent. He added that KSEBL has additionally constantly maintained low SAIFI and SAIDI values at 12.23 and 58.79, respectively, for 2024, which displays fewer and shorter energy interruptions in comparison with different state-owned utilities.
The state’s energy buy quantum has grown at a CAGR of 4 per cent between 2016-17 and 2023-24, reflecting the regular rise in vitality consumption. Regardless of surplus solar energy throughout the day, supported by a mean addition of 35 MW from rooftop photo voltaic to the grid, Kerala faces challenges with grid congestion and balancing provide successfully. To deal with shortfalls, the state typically depends on gas-based energy stations, driving energy prices above Rs 10 per unit in important occasions.
Kerala’s whole shopper base stood at 13.2 million as of March 2024, with home shoppers accounting for 76 per cent, adopted by industrial class shoppers at 19 per cent and industrial shoppers at 12 per cent.
KSEBL’s whole electrical energy gross sales had been 27,675 MUs in 2023-24. The LT home shopper section accounted for the very best share at 50 per cent, reflecting vital residential demand. The HT and EHT classes accounted for 22 per cent of whole vitality gross sales, adopted by industrial LT clients at 17 per cent. Industrial LT and different classes every contributed 5 per cent, agricultural LT made up 1 per cent and the export class recorded no gross sales.
Monetary efficiency
When it comes to monetary efficiency, KSEBL’s consolidated assertion reveals vital enchancment for the 12 months ended March 31, 2024. The full revenue elevated to Rs 218.02 billion, up from Rs 189.38 billion within the earlier 12 months, reflecting a progress of 15.13 per cent. Notably, the corporate achieved a internet revenue of Rs 2.12 billion in 2024, a exceptional turnaround from the online lack of Rs 9.91 billion in 2023. This vital restoration may be attributed to improved operational effectivity and enhanced monetary administration throughout the 12 months.
New initiatives
KSEBL is enterprise a number of key initiatives to enhance infrastructure, promote sustainability and improve buyer providers throughout Kerala. Beneath the Dyuthi undertaking, KSEBL goals to raise its distribution grid to worldwide requirements by a complete five-year plan spanning 2022-23 to 2026-27. Regardless of the achievements of Dyuthi 1 (2018-22), KSEBL recognised the necessity to attain world requirements of efficiency in a number of areas. Therefore, its board accepted the Dyuthi 2 undertaking with a price range of Rs 40.16 billion. Dyuthi 2 integrates important options and necessities from the Dyuthi 1 scheme and the RDSS, specializing in resilient and secure installations, making certain uninterrupted provide throughout the plan interval and seamless integration of renewable vitality.
One other new initiative is Filament Free Kerala, accomplished in partnership with native self-governments. The initiative efficiently changed filament lamps with LED bulbs, decreasing peak demand and mercury air pollution by distributing 11.8 million LED bulbs to shoppers. The NILAVU programme, additionally in collaboration with native self-governments, has changed typical road lights with LED alternate options, with installations reaching 366,980 as of March 31, 2024.
Within the space of e-mobility, KSEBL has established 63 quick charging stations and 1,169 pole-mounted charging stations. It’s selling the “recharge and refresh” idea, enabling charging at malls and workplaces the place autos are usually parked. It additionally plans to roll out quick charging infrastructure within the state.
One other key initiative is KEMapp, an app from KSEBL that accommodates details about charging stations for electrical autos (EVs) and permits distant operation of those stations. Developed in collaboration with 5 distributors, KeMAPP addresses the challenges confronted by EV customers, notably the fragmentation of cellular purposes. To streamline operations and improve consumer expertise, KeMAPP was developed as a complete software program answer and cellular software.
Moreover, KSEBL is transitioning buyer providers to digital platforms to enhance effectivity. Since December 1, 2024, all providers have been made accessible on-line, with offline providers being discouraged. KSEBL can be targeted on implementing IT and digital options; introducing cloud telephony providers that permit shoppers to register complaints, request providers and procure billing data through IVR and WhatsApp; and decreasing guide intervention and wait occasions.
By means of the voluntary disclosure scheme, KSEBL is facilitating vitality financial savings by permitting self-declaration for revising linked hundreds for LT shoppers. It is usually enterprise vital electrification efforts. These embrace the electrification of BPL households with a linked load of as much as 1,000 W, funded by KSEBL’s personal sources, and large-scale tribal colony electrification. To date, 29 colonies have been electrified. KSEBL has additionally contributed to making sure 4G community penetration throughout Kerala, strengthening connectivity within the state.
Future plans
KSEBL has outlined a number of focus areas to boost operational effectivity, promote inexperienced vitality and undertake superior applied sciences. KSEBL is focusing on a complete put in capability of 10,000 MW by 2030. This consists of 500 MW of photo voltaic, 530 MW of wind, 1,500 MW of hydro and 35 MW of month-to-month rooftop photo voltaic additions. Additional, it plans to attain 3,000 MWh of battery vitality storage system (BESS) and a couple of,000 MW of pumped storage (six-hour discharge) capability. It additionally plans to discover small modular reactors for establishing nuclear energy within the state.
Within the transmission section, KSEBL is targeted on growing inexperienced vitality corridors, bettering infrastructure by trans-grid tasks. TransGrid 2.0 goals to create intra-state excessive capability corridors for seamless energy switch, making certain energy availability in any respect load centres with minimal loss.
KSEBL can be advancing GIS mapping of all its era, transmission and distribution property. Technical pilots are being undertaken for asset inspection utilizing drones/UAV know-how.
KSEBL is implementing the RDSS with an outlay of round Rs 28.80 billion. Of this, 60 per cent of budgetary assist will come from the Ministry of Energy and the remaining 40 per cent from KSEBL’s personal sources to modernise and strengthen distribution infrastructure. Nearly 77 per cent of the price range is allotted to distribution infrastructure enhancements. Tenders for tasks have been finalised. SCADA and web of issues initiatives can even be taken up within the state.
The discom plans to extend the share of HT traces in its community to enhance the standard of energy provide and scale back losses. As well as, it’s adopting coated conductors to keep away from interruptions and growing hotline upkeep options to enhance reliability. It is usually enterprise distribution transformer well being monitoring and pilot asset inspections utilizing drones and UAVs.
To deal with the present challenges in transformer provide chains, KSEBL is shifting gears to bolster in-house manufacturing capabilities, making certain a extra sturdy and self-sustaining system.
To enhance demand-side administration, KSEBL has adopted useful resource adequacy plans and sensible meter-driven demand administration whereas piloting BESS in villages and inspiring public funding in photo voltaic batteries.
Challenges and outlook
One main difficulty KSEBL is going through is the problem in sustaining the provision chain for elements/key gear as rising demand results in longer lead occasions and elevated prices. KSEBL additionally encounters resistance from commerce unions concerning know-how transitions like sensible meters.
Regardless of these challenges, KSEBL’s forward-looking technique displays its sustained dedication to constructing a strong and dependable energy sector in Kerala. By adopting renewable vitality, modernising infrastructure and partnering with village-level authorities our bodies, KSEBL is setting a robust instance for the way to tackle rising energy calls for successfully and sustainably.
