Keralites do not have to call up offices in case of power cuts anymore. The electricity department is set to introduce a toll free number where people can register their complaints, along with a WhatsApp number for the same purpose.
The state is looking to bring down instances of power cuts, Kerala’s Electricity Minister Kadakampally Surendran told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.
"Likewise, from now on the board will inform every consumer the bill amount through SMS, WhatsApp, and so also if there is going to be a temporary power outage and the expected time when power would be restored," added the minister.
He also said from October onwards, all applications for a new power connection can be made online.
Spending a whopping Rs 6,000 crore annually to purchase power from outside, Kerala has decided to step up power generation through renewable energy sources like solar and windmill, a state minister has announced.
In three years, the state will generate 600 MW power through solar projects.
"Sixty-five per cent of the annual power requirements of the state is sourced from outside the state and with the Centre coming out with new rules that 85 per cent of the power generated in a state has to be utilised in the state, we will now have to think of alternate sources. And the best bet is going to be solar and windmill," said Surendran.
"A 200 MW solar park is getting ready in Kasargode district and by January next year the first phase of 30 MW will become ready. We have identified a suitable land also in Kasargode district and the proposal is to set up another 200 MW solar park."
"Besides, we will also go ahead with generating 200 MW of solar power on the land owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board across the state," said the minister.
He pointed out that micro windmills have been installed on an experimental basis at the board's headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.
"These are small windmills that can generate about 300 watts and can be placed on roof tops. These are developed by the board itself and costs of this can be brought down to a reasonable level when mass-scale production is undertaken. The time has come where every household should look forward to produce a little bit of their own power," said Surendran.
(With inputs from IANS)