Kerala Battles Night-Time Power Crunch with Battery Storage Push

Kerala faces a severe power crisis as night-time demand surges and hydroelectric reservoirs run low; the government accelerates battery storage projects to harness cheap daytime solar energy for evening use.

This article was drafted with AI assistance from multiple sources and was reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication.

Kerala is grappling with a deepening power crisis marked by night-time load-shedding, dwindling hydroelectric reserves, and soaring electricity market prices. In response, the state government and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) are accelerating battery energy storage projects to capture low-cost solar power generated during daylight hours for use after sunset.

On Wednesday, July 15, power demand spiked by 500 to 600 megawatts, forcing KSEB to cut supply across the state. The board attributed the shortfall to a sharp rise in night-time consumption driven by high temperatures, combined with exorbitant prices and scarce availability on the power exchange. Total electricity consumption reached 90.45 million units, while KSEB's own generation stood at just 21.02 million units.

The crisis is compounded by critically low water levels in hydroelectric reservoirs, which have fallen to 28.62% of capacity, compared to 60.15% during the same period last year. This has severely curtailed hydropower output during peak evening hours.

Minister Joseph described the stark disparity in power costs, stating, "Power is available at one paise per unit during the day, but it is not available even for ₹10 per unit at night. That is the situation. I appeal to people to limit electricity use during night hours."

To address the structural imbalance, the government and KSEB are pushing to fast-track battery energy storage systems (BESS). The goal is to store cheap solar power produced during the day for use at night, reducing reliance on costly spot-market purchases. Two BESS projects are under development: one at Mylatti in Kasaragod district and another at Sreekandapuram in Kannur district, where work is progressing. A pilot energy storage project in Ernakulam has already proven successful, offering a model for expansion.

Allegations of planning failures by the previous administration have emerged amid the crisis. The state is also exploring legal avenues for power purchase agreements and has procured additional electricity through short-term contracts at higher costs, though these are seen as stopgap measures.

While the immediate situation has necessitated load-shedding and emergency procurement, the long-term strategy hinges on scaling up battery storage to balance Kerala's growing night-time demand with its abundant daytime solar potential.