Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala is witnessing an unprecedented surge in electricity consumption as an intense heatwave, combined with a shortage of cooking gas, drives households and small businesses to increasingly depend on electric appliances.
The state recorded a peak power demand of 6,012 MW on Tuesday evening — the highest ever — surpassing Monday’s 5,933 MW. Total daily consumption also reached a monthly high of 112.52 million units.
A significant portion of this demand is being met through external sources, with 87.42 million units procured from outside the state, highlighting Kerala’s growing reliance on imported power. In comparison, in-state generation, including hydel power, contributed only 25.09 million units.
Amid the rising demand, the Kerala State Electricity Board is reportedly grappling with uncertainty over how to manage the situation going forward.
The surge is attributed not only to soaring temperatures but also to changing cooking patterns. Induction cookers are widely used across Kerala, and the ongoing shortage of LPG cylinders has pushed many households to switch to electric stoves.
This shift is particularly evident among roadside eateries and tea stalls — a common feature across the state — many of which have temporarily replaced cooking gas with electric alternatives.
Meanwhile, the heatwave shows no signs of abating. On Vishu (Wednesday), large parts of the state continued to experience extreme temperatures, with 12 districts placed under high-temperature alerts.
Palakkad recorded a sweltering 40°C for the second time this season, while Kollam touched 38°C. Kannur and Kottayam also saw temperatures exceed 37°C.
Compounding the situation, the ultraviolet index has reached dangerous levels at four monitoring stations, raising concerns about prolonged exposure to the sun.
Health authorities have reported a rise in heat-related illnesses, including dehydration, fatigue, and sunburn.
With temperatures and electricity demand rising simultaneously, Kerala faces a challenging period ahead as it struggles to balance supply constraints with growing consumption driven by both climatic conditions and necessity.
With IANS inputs