Kerala Assembly: Minister says govt to prioritise battery energy storage systems to tackle power crisis

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Electricity Minister says Kerala faces a shortage of about 900 megawatts. | Photo Credit: THULASI KAKKAT

The Kerala government will give priority to implementing battery energy storage systems (BESS) for tackling the peak demand issues in the State’s power sector, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph informed the State Legislative Assembly on Wednesday (July 1, 2026), adding that the State faced a shortage of about 900 megawatts (MW).

Five of the six BESS projects on the anvil are expected to be completed towards the end of 2026 and these would provide 1,500 megawatts (MW) in storage capability, Mr. Joseph said, presenting a statement on the situation where power supply curbs had to be imposed in the State.

BESS projects are planned at Mylatti, Sreekandapuram, Mulleria, Areecode, Pothencode and Brahmapuram. While studies are on to enhance the hydropower capacity and implement pumped storage projects (PSP), these initiatives would take time, Mr. Joseph said.

Power curbs were necessitated by the weak southwest monsoon which adversely impacted inflow into the reservoirs of the hydro projects. The El Nino-linked hot weather conditions caused a spike in power demand across India, resulting in shortages in the electricity market. The daily demand in Kerala, though projected to be 4,100 MW, rose to 4,900 MW. Although the State was receiving 1,701 MW from the Central Generating Stations (CGS) and 612 MW from long-term contracts in full, the State still faced a shortage of about 900 MW owing to the above-mentioned reasons. Further, till September, Kerala is also required to return electricity sources through swap arrangements to meet the summer demand. Daily, the State is expected to return 6.58 million units (mu), he said.

The storage in the hydel reservoirs is down to 21%, equivalent to 870 mu. Last year, it was 59% and 2,475 mu respectively during the same period. The average daily consumption in the State stands at 88 mu to 90 mu, of which internal generation accounts for only 15 mu