Power consumption to go up by 7%

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: If there’s one graph that is on a constant march upwards, it’s the one indicating power consumption. Few surprises - pleasant ones, that is - await the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) in the months ahead. The KSEB forecasts say power consumption will go up by a whopping 7.1 per cent during 2012-2013 compared to 2011-2012.The average daily consumption in 2012-2013 is anticipated to be 55.42 million units (MU), compared to 51.73 MU in 2011-2012.In 2012-2013, KSEB anticipates power purchases to the tune of Rs 906.74 crore through traders and energy exchanges. The total energy demand for 2012-2013 is estimated to be 20,226.51 MU and the KSEB is doubtful whether it will be able to meet the requirement owing to exorbitant costs involved in power imports.KSEB, in fact, fears the worst in the run-up to the 2012 summer which is expected to turn particularly hot for the power utility. Even the past three months of the current fiscal - January to March - are expected to clock an average daily demand for electricity well over 51 MU.In March this year,  Keralites, who have developed a fondness for induction cookers and air coolers, are expected to drink up 58.10 MU. The anticipated demand during April is 55.66 MU, an 8.5 percent increase over April 2011. And in March 2013, consumption levels are expected to pip records by touching 62.17 MU.The KSEB has given its projections in the petition on Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) and Expected Revenue from Charges (ERC) for 2012-2013 filed before the state electricity regulatory commission the other day. KSEB will have to engage in heavy power purchases to meet the 2012 summer demand.  There will be difficulty during the summer. We are thinking of measures to tide over the crisis, Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed said.Express had reported on Sunday that the KSEB has recommended the electricity regulatory commission to regulate power supply to consumers during 2012-2013. If the proposal goes through, monthly consumption by domestic consumers will be restricted to 300 units at normal tariff and by other consumers, at 85 percent of previous year’s consumption at normal tariff.