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As Keralam grapples with a deepening power crisis, State Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph on Friday highlighted that the state government is actively exploring all available alternatives to procure electricity at affordable rates to cushion the financial impact on the state treasury.
Addressing the media on the state's power supply challenges, Minister Joseph detailed how the convergence of surging domestic demanddriven by unprecedented air conditioner sales and electric vehicle adoptioncoupled with the cancellation of long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) has strained the state's power grid. "We are trying to resolve the issue. One of the main challenges is the high cost of electricity, so we are exploring options to procure power at lower rates. At present, we are paying more, and this will involve substantial expenditure in the long run. The Chief Minister and I are examining the matter, and we are exploring other alternatives as well. Our efforts are not limited to procuring electricity from Himachal Pradesh; we are looking at every possible option," Minister Sunny Joseph said. Highlighting the rapid change in consumption patterns across Keralam homes and businesses, the Electricity Minister pointed out that power availability has struggled to keep pace with the sheer volume of electrical appliances entering the market. "The bus projects planned to be launched at Mayilatti require machinery from China, including batteries. Electricity demand is also rising with the increasing use of electric vehicles and air conditioners. Around five crore AC units were sold in Keralam this year. However, power availability has not kept pace with the growing demand. Long-term power purchase agreements that could have helped meet these requirements have been cancelled," the Minister added. Meanwhile, speaking about the INDIA bloc's November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan in New Delhi, Joseph said the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee had accepted the call to participate, and several party leaders would attend the event. "The call is seriously accepted by the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, and many of the leaders will be attending the Delhi rally," he said. (ANI)
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