Major 5 hydro-electric projects which come under Kerala State Electricity Board such as Lower Periyar, Idamalayar, Peringalkuthu, Peringalkuthu Left Bank Extension, Panniyar, and 14 Mini Hydroelectric Projects of Vellathooval, Ranni-Perunadu, Adyanpara, Barapole, Chembukadavu II, Mattupetty, Perunthenaruvi, Lower Meenmutty, Peechi, Chimmini, Urumi II, Vilangadu, Poozhithodu, Malambuzha came across with fatal destructions due to flood and related landslides. All the above mentioned hydro-electric projects except Vellathooval mini hydro-electric project have been rebuilt.
TRANSMISSION SECTOR
About 50 substations were completely or partially damaged caused by the monstrous floods. Major transmission substations such as Punnapra- Pallam, Kuthungal- Neryamangalam, Pallivasal- Aluva, Chalakkudi- Pullazhi, Madakathara- Kunnamangalam, Idamalayar- Ayyampuzha, Idamalayar- Malayatoor, Aluva- Chalakkudi and Chalakkudi -Traction substations were de-functioned because of the deluge.
TRANSFORMER SECTOR
The power supply in the districts of Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur and Wayanadu was completely diffused in the floods. About 1700 distribution transformers over 300 electrical sections have been immersed and damaged in the surge. More than 10000 transformers were shut down foreseeing the dangerous situation and risks behind it. The power supply of 16158 transformers was hindered in the deluge and it affected about 25.60 lakhs consumers in the districts. 1735 power supply transformers and 5275.80 km of electric lines had to be replaced to restore the power supply. More than 1 lakh electric posts were restored. About 3 lakhs of single-phase electricity meters and 50,000 three-phase electric meters were completely tattered. E.L.C.B was established to rebuild electric connections over 3 lakh households.
DECREASE IN ELECTRIC SUPPLY
The power supply was decreased about 400 MW following the flood. Meantime, the shrinkage of charcoal supply in other states also made the situation more aggravated.
SECURITY
The flood has created an excessive loss in the sector though it did not cause any significant impact on the lives of the public and employees from KSEB’s power installations. As a safety measure, over 50 substations and 10,000 transformers had stopped operating. All these transformers were safely recharged later.
MISSION RE-CONNECT
With the intention to restore power supply, the State has implemented a special action programme called Mission Re-connect and appointed special volunteers in the state, circle, and section levels. The Mission aimed to temporarily restore power supply in buildings of areas where water level fell during the end of last August. All service connections that were lost before August 31, 2018, were safely re-established.
The total expenditure of KSEB for rebuilding activities and its goals are the following:
