Summer heat pushes up Kerala’s daily power consumption

Kerala's power demand surges this summer, with projected daily consumption reaching 111.7 million units in April.

Daily electricity consumption levels in Kerala are showing signs of picking up with the onset of summer and the consequent rise in temperatures.

As per Power department projections, the average daily consumption in March is likely to touch 103.5 million units (mu), and that of April and May, 111.7 mu and 96.4 mu respectively. The average daily consumption for the same months in 2025 had stood at 97.5 mu, 95 mu and 89.1 mu.

This year, daily consumption levels had crossed the 90 mu mark in February itself. The average daily consumption in February 2026 stood at 90.76 mu, according to data with the State load despatch centre. In January, this was 84.3 mu.

Kerala had recorded its highest daily consumption of 115.94 mu on May 3, 2024. The highest peak demand of 5,797 megawatts (MW) was recorded on May 2, 2024.

The combined storage in the reservoirs of hydroelectric projects stands at 55% of the capacity as on March 3. The levels are adequate to generate 2274 mu. Citing February 17 storage data, Electricity Minister K. Krishnankutty had informed the Kerala Assembly in the just-concluded Assembly session that the levels were sufficient to tide over the summer months.

The Power department and the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) are pinning their hopes on summer rainfall to keep soaring consumption in check. So far, parts of the State have received only light to scattered rainfall this summer.