India’s Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has announced that it has been generating through hydropower an average of over 20.5 million units of electricity daily throughout July. KSEB said that with heavy rainfall continuing in the catchments of the reservoirs for the hydropower stations, it stepped up generation of hydropower to avoid spill-over of the water flowing into the reservoir.
More info
World Future Energy Summit (WFES) 2025
KSEB has temporarily stopped drawing electricity from plants operating on liquid fuels, since the increased level of generation from the hydropower plants combined with allocations from Central power stations and competitive purchases being made from the energy market can satisfy the overall energy demand in the state.
KSEB has been generating an average of 20.5 million units daily from its hydropower plants during July, compared with 10 million units daily during mid-May, when the water levels in the reservoirs were at a low level. On July 17, KSEB generated 21.82 million units from hydropower. This accounted for 41 per cent of the total demand during the day.
KSEB has stated that the small- and medium-sized reservoirs are close to water capacity. For example, Neriamangalam reservoir is at 97.35 per cent capacity; Poringal reservoir is at 99.82 per cent capacity; Lower Periyar is at 100 per cent capacity; Kuttiadi is at 90.11 per cent capacity; Thariode at 87.54 per cent; and Ponmudi at 96.93 per cent capacity.
The water levels in the large reservoirs have also increased, even though the monsoon season is still continuing. On July 17. Idukki reservoir had reached 55.67 per cent water storage; Pampa/Kakki 59.58 per cent; and Idamalayar 66.53 per cent.
KSEB has said that the water storage position at this point in the monsoon is the highest it has been for the past 10 years.