EIACP PC Hub: Kerala
State of Environment and Related Issues

Energy Development

  Energy is an essential input for economic development and improving the quality of life. Development of conventional forms of energy for meeting the growing needs of society at a reasonable cost is the responsibility of the Government Development and promotion of non-conventional /alternative/ new and renewable sources of energy such as solar, wind and bio energy etc are getting sustained attention. Nuclear energy development being geared up to contribute significantly to the overall energy availability in the country.

                  Universal access to affordable power in a sustainable manner is the guiding principle for the Power sector. Sources of power in India range from conventional sources to viable non-conventional sources. Almost 80 per cent of India’s energy requirements are met by coal, oil, natural gas and solid biomass (Source: International Energy Agency). India’s per capita emission is quite low but in absolute terms, it is the 3^rd largest greenhouse gas emitter (country-wise) in the world. Per Capita Electricity Consumption of India in general and Kerala in particular is much below the world average.

               India’s power sources range from traditional ones to sustainable unconventional origins. Over 80 per cent of India’s energy demands are fulfilled by three fuels: coal, oil, and solid biomass (Source: International Energy Agency 2021). The remarkable growth of solar and wind energy capacity of the country has enabled it to maintain its position as a global leader in renewable energy adoption. Today, India stands 4th globally in Renewable Energy Installed Capacity, with 43 per cent (as on September 30, 2023) of its total installed electricity capacity coming from nonfossil energy sources. (Source: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), GoI). India ranks 67^th in the World Economic Forum energy transition index, which evaluates 120 economies’ energy systems. This index is developed by considering the three energy triangle imperatives-equity, security, and sustainability - while effectively utilizing energy transition enablers.

(Source: World Economic Forum).

Power Sector - Indian Scenario 

           The national grid has an installed capacity of 4,24,288 MW as on August 31, 2023. In India, electricity from thermal energy is the dominant source of power. It constitutes nearly 56.19 per cent of the total installed capacity in the country. Contribution of electricity generation from different sources to the national grid. Of late, renewable sources have emerged as the second largest electricity source in the country, relegating hydroelectric power to the third position.

Installed Capacity (MW) in India 2022-23

                     In the sector-wise breakup of total energy generation as on August 31, 2023, the contribution of the State sector is 1,05,749 MW (24.92 per cent), Central sector 1,01,415 MW (23.90 per cent), and private sector, 2,17,124 MW (51.17 per cent).

Installed Capacity (MW) in India 2022-23, Sector-wise

Power Sector in Kerala

              Kerala is among the Front Runner States in the State Energy Efficiency Index published by Bureau of Energy Efficiency, Ministry of Power, Government of India. Though highly dependent on imported power, the State could provide power for all on demand, without imposing on restrictions such as load shedding or power cut. Power development activities in the State are carried out mainly through four agencies, namely, Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEBL), Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology (ANERT), Electrical Inspectorate, and Energy Management Centre (EMC).The Table below shows the details growth of the power system in the State for the last five years.

Growth of Power System at a Glance during 2018-23

Power Availability:

                The quantum of power available in the State is met from Central Stations, private generators, Power Exchanges and also from internal sources including stations owned by KSEBL, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), Captive power plants (CPPs), and prosumer. Details are given below:

Energy Sources and Quantum Procured during  2022-23

Power Demand:  

Peak demand of the State during 2022-23 was 4517 MW (on March 28, 2023), indicating 3.12 per cent increase from 4380.04 MW in 2021-22. Morning peak demand was 3611 MW and day peak demand was 4096 MW for 2022-23. The energy requirement and maximum demand for energy during the last five years. 

Requirement and Maximum Demand for Energy during the Last Five Years

Source: KSEBL

 Generation

                  The power generation landscape in the State includes hydroelectric, thermal, wind and solar plants and they collectively contribute the State’s electricity generation capacity. Total installed capacity of power in the State as on March 31, 2023 is 3,514.81 MW, of which, hydel power contributed the major share of 2,173.57 MW (61.84 per cent); while 734.42 MW was contributed by solar power (20.90 per cent), 536.54 MW (15.27 per cent) from thermal and 70.28 MW from wind (2 per cent). Appendix 11.2.3 gives the details of energy source and its installed capacity during the last five years, while sector-wise details are presented in Appendix 11.2.4. The total installed capacity of Kerala from hydel, thermal, and renewable sources are given below:

(Appendix 11.2.3) Energy Source in Kerala from 2018-2023 (MW)

(Appendix 11.2.4) Total Installed Capacity in Kerala from 2018-2023

                  Of the total installed capacity of 3,514.81 MW in 2022-23, the contribution of State sector is 2299.89 MW (65.43 per cent), central sector 359.58 MW (10.23 per cent), and private sector 855.34 MW (24.33 per cent).

Total installed capacity of Kerala in 2022-23 in Percent

Source : KSEBL

Transmission

           Kerala has 432 transmission substations with 14,431.11 circuit km lines having 25555.70 MVA total transformation capacity of which 6 stations (1755.61 Ckm) owned by Power Grid Corporation of India(PGCIL) , as on March 31, 2023.

Transgrid 2.0

                  The ambitious Transgrid 2.0 project aimed at enhancing the transmission capacity for meeting future demand, improving reliability and quality of power transmitted and to reduce losses. Out of the 12 substations targeted in the first phase of the Transgrid 2.0 project (2017-23), 11 substations and 1490 ckm of EHT lines were completed till March 31, 2023. In 2022-23, 6 new substations were completed of which, 4 stations were completed as part of Transgrid 2.0 project. Kerala’s transmission infrastructure consisting of substations as on March 31, 2023 and details on substations and lines completed in 2022-23 are given below: