Urja Kerala Mission - Energy Generation and Conservation Program

Kerala has launched 'Urja Kerala Mission' – an aggressive Energy generation and Conservation program - aimed at the integrated development of electricity sector in the state. It aims at implementing FIVE important projects in the next 3 years, at a total investment of ₹ 15,000 Crore. The launch of these projects was done with the inauguration of Urja Kerala Mission by the Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Pinarayi Vijayan at 3 pm on 14 Jun 2018 at Tagore Theatre, Thiruvananthapuram.

1. Soura - to establish 1000 MW of solar power capacity in the state in the next 3 years. This includes 500 MW of rooftop solar power plants in houses, public and private buildings including schools, hospitals and commercial establishments.

Two models of financing are announced by the Utility.

Plan 1: KSEB Ltd to bear initial expenditure for installing Solar plants on the rooftop of consumers' building. 10% of the total electricity generated to be given to the owner of the rooftop absolutely free of cost. OR Total electricity generated to be given to the owner of the rooftop for a fixed period (25 years) at a fixed rate.

Plan 2: KSEB Ltd to install Solar plants on the rooftop at the expense of investor(Consumer). Electricity generated is partially or completely to be purchased by KSEBL. OR Electricity generated is used by the investor himself.

The Chief Minister claimed that it is for the first time in the country, a Utility is adopting a business model of Utility investments on Rooftops of its consumers.

The Soura component covers to install 200 MW solar plant through an open tendering process, 150 MW through Solar Park, 100 MW through Floating Solar Plant, 50 MW through Irrigation canal top and highways.

The registration and/or tendering process would begin by June 2018. KSEBL and ANERT, the State Nodal Agency for RE would jointly implement this component.

2. Filament free Kerala - to provide good quality LED lamps at moderate rates to replace CF lamps, fluorescent tubes and filament bulbs commonly used in houses and street lights. Cost of the lamps would be recovered from the beneficiary through instalment basis, by the Utility. 75 Million LED bulbs and 35 Million LED Tube lights are targeted to be distributed through this program. Through cooperation with Local Self Government bodies, the Street Lights throughout the state would be shifted to LED lamps.

A pilot programme is already implemented in Pilicode Grama Panchayath in Kasaragod District of Kerala.

KSEBL and Energy Management Centre (EMC) would pilot this segment. This is being implemented at a cost of ₹ 800 Crore.

3. Dyuthi 2021 – Program aims modernization of transmission structure of Power in the state. It would ensure providing uninterrupted power supply, reduction of transmission & distribution losses, safe electric grid etc. The principal components identified are Fault passage detectors, Air break switches, Ring main Units, Computer controlled Distribution network, High Voltage Transmission Lines, Insulated overhead distribution lines, Pole top distribution boxes etc.

KSEBL would monitor this ₹ 4,000 Crore project to modernise the distribution grid and reduce power interruptions

4. Transgrid 2.0 – aims at Power Highway – Creating High capacity transmission lines to reduce the transmission losses and to remove the current limitations and constraints in the transmission network.

The objective is to establish 400 kV transmission lines within the state during the mission period. The project costs ₹ 10,000 Crore with the financial support from Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board. The power evacuation line from Koodankulam Nuclear station (Tamil Nadu State) to Kerala is aimed to be completed during this period.

KSEBL has the ownership of this component.

5. eSafe - a massive publicity campaign to sensitize the users of electricity on its safety aspects. The principle objective is to become ‘Electric Accident-Free’ Kerala. A pilot Total Electricity Safety Program is being implemented in a Grama Panchayat of Trivandrum District. The program plans to rewire the residential installation of the underprivileged section and also provide ELCB protection to the consumers.

These projects would be implemented by KSEBL and Electrical Inspectorate.

 For more details: Soura Natural Energy Solutions