The Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) has just approved a series of vital short-term power purchases. These are specifically designed to ensure Kerala has enough electricity to handle the anticipated surge in demand during the scorching summer months of April and May 2026.
This decision, outlined in an order issued on September 25, follows proposals submitted by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to prepare for the upcoming summer.
The approved purchases will cover specific high-demand periods: from 6 p.m. to midnight, and then from midnight until 5 a.m., throughout April and May. Additionally, KSEB has received permission to make several “round-the-clock” (RTC) short-term power acquisitions.
Regarding costs, the per-unit price for RTC power will fall between ₹5.83 and ₹6, while peak-hour purchases will range from ₹7 to ₹9.49.
Initially, the Commission had expressed concerns that KSEB’s forecasts for both overall energy and peak demand during April and May were considerably higher than in previous years. However, KSEB firmly maintained its projections.
In its recent directive, KSERC stated that it ultimately chose not to dispute KSEB’s estimates, despite its own belief that these figures might be on the higher side. Nevertheless, the KSEB will be mandated to provide detailed reports on the actual power demand for these two months at a later date, as per the Commission’s instructions.