Power consumption soars, KSEB asks consumers not to charge EVs in the evening

Electricity consumption in the State hit a record 108.22 million units (mu) on Saturday, prompting the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to urge consumers to avoid charging their evehicles during the evening hours when electricity demand is at its highest.

The maximum demand during the evening hours also rose to a record 5,364 megawatts (MW) on Saturday. Of this, power purchases from outside the State accounted for 2,800 MW, KSEB officials said.

On Sunday, the Staterun power utility advised the consumers to either charge their vehicles during daytime or after midnight. “The number of electric vehicles is witnessing an increase in the State.

Due to the charging of evehicles at night, the load on the transformers goes up leading to blown fuses and power outages. Ideally, evehicles should be charged either after midnight or during the daytime,” the KSEB said.

Soaring summer temperatures have driven power consumption up in the

State, given the dependence on airconditioners. Kerala has been steadily recording a daily consumption of 100 million units (mu) since March, although usage is slightly lesser on Sundays.

Spurt in evehicles

At the same time, the State is also witnessing a spurt in evehicles, especially twowheelers, given the push for emobility.

Since consumption levels began their upward trek in March, the KSEB has been urging consumers to avoid the use of nonessential electrical equipment such as pumps and washing machines between 6 p.m. and midnight.

The previous alltime high daily consumption and maximum demand were recorded on April 3, respectively 107.76 mu and 5,359 MW.