Kozhikode: The upwardly revised power tariff ordered by the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KSERC) is lower than the increases in other states, said Minister for Electricity K Krishnankutty.

The commission increased the power tariff by 16 paise for the remaining months of the 2024-2025 financial year, 12 paise for 2025-2026 and no increase for the year 2026-2027. The commission also rejected KSEBL's proposal to introduce a 10 paise per unit 'summer tariff'.

Between 2011 and 2016, when the Congress-led UDF was running the government, power tariff rose by 49.2 per cent. However, from 2016 to 2024, over eight and a half years of LDF rule, electricity tariffs increased by only 21.68 per cent, Krishnankutty said at the inauguration of the 110 kV substation at Adivaram in Kozhikode's Puduppady grama panchayat.

The minister said Karnataka's public power distribution company BESCOM has proposed tariff increases of 67 paise per unit for 2025-26, 74 paise for 2026-27, and 91 paise for 2027-28.

Claims that Adani Power's domestic electricity tariffs in Maharashtra are lower than Kerala's are incorrect, he said. "In addition to energy charges, Adani Power consumers must pay a fixed charge of ₹90 per month, wheeling charges of ₹2.60 per unit, 16 per cent electricity duty, and fuel surcharges ranging from 45 to 80 paise. Compared to Adani Power, Kerala's rates are ₹231 less for 50 units, ₹333 less for 100 units, ₹596 less for 200 units, and ₹696 less for 250 units," said Krishnankutty, the Janata Dal (Secular) MLA from Chittur in Palakkad.

The minister listed out the numbers to defend the LDF government, facing the heat from the Opposition for the tariff hike and its plan to extend Carborundum Universal Limited's ownership of a 12-megawatt captive power plant beyond the 30-year term ending this December instead of transferring it to KSEBL as mandated in the 'build, own, operate, and transfer' agreement.

The minister also criticised the Union government’s policy encouraging the private sector's entry into electricity distribution. One of its directives requires state electricity regulatory commissions to revise tariffs annually, he said. "Regulatory changes now ensure that additional costs, such as fuel price increases, can be passed on to consumers without regulatory approval, allowing companies to raise tariffs monthly," he said.

Public-private partnerships for charging stations
KSEB is preparing a framework to establish more electric vehicle charging stations across the state in public-private partnerships, said Minister for Electricity Krishnankutty. Of the 63 charging stations installed by KSEB, 58 have new-generation CCS2 chargers, he said. Under the Union government's FAME II scheme, which offers a 70 per cent subsidy, applications have been submitted for installing CCS2 chargers at the remaining slow stations, including one at Puthuppady, he said.

Since the LDF government took office, Kerala has added 1,067.7 MW of power generation capacity, including 979.2 MW from solar energy and 88.55 MW from hydropower projects.

In the transmission sector, work on 25 substations is completed and construction of 33 substations, including Adivaram and Pantheerankavu in Kozhikode, is going on.

The 110 kV substation at Adivaram is being constructed to enhance electricity distribution efficiency in Puthuppady, Kodanchery, Kaithappoyil, Engapuzha, Kannoth, and surrounding areas of Puthuppady grama panchayat.

Project timeline and funding
Currently, electricity for these regions is supplied via the Thamarassery 110 kV substation. The region faces frequent supply issues due to long 11 kV feeder lines and challenging terrain. Administrative approval for the ₹11.5 crore project was granted in December 2019. Additionally, work has commenced to upgrade the 20-km 66 kV single-circuit line from Thamarassery to Wayanad Koothumunda into a 110 kV double-circuit line.

The first phase, from Thamarassery to the Adivaram substation, will be completed alongside the substation construction. Upon completion, the project will ensure uninterrupted, high-quality electricity in the region. The project is expected to be fully operational by March 2026, funded entirely by KSEB Limited.

The ceremony was presided over by MLA Linto Joseph. Koduvalli Block Panchayat President K M Ashraf, Puthuppady Grama Panchayat President Najmunnisa Sharif, Kodanchery Grama Panchayat President Alex Thomas, District Panchayat Member Ambika Mangalath took part in the function.