Power crisis: KSEB to fast-track ongoing hydel projects, four small hydro projects to be completed by May 2027

Facing criticism for having failed to avoid a monsoon season power crisis, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has now decided to speed up work on all hydroelectric projects that are in the development stage.The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph here on Thursday. Four small hydro projects with a combined capacity of 39.5 megawatt (MW) will be completed by April-May 2027 as part of the decisions taken on Thursday.These are the 24 MW Chinnar small hydro project, 3 MW Poovaramthode project, 5 MW Olikkal project, and 7.5 MW Pazhassi Sagar project. The KSEB plan is to have them ready during the 2027 summer.Further, the power utility has also decided to speed up the preliminary work on hydel projects that are on the drawing board. Two of the big projects in the planning stage include the extension schemes for the Idukki and Sabarigiri hydel projects.“The KSEB will take steps to commission hydel projects in the development stages as early as possible for increasing the internal power generation capacity of the State and to meet the growing electricity demand,” Mr. Joseph’s office said in a statement.Senior engineers of the KSEB tasked with heading the different hydel projects attended the review meeting. Published - September 24, 2026 09:04 pm IST