Thiruvananthapuram: N S Pillai, outgoing CMD of Kerala State Electricity Board He has said that he did not believe that sensitive hydropower projects like Athirapally would ever start in the state.
However, Pillai, who left office after successfully leading the board during turbulent times, is of the opinion that hydropower projects are the most suitable and sustainable of the power sources. “Compared to thermal power, which currently makes up the bulk of the electricity we use, hydroelectricity is clean and carbon-free. But it is almost impossible to commission big new power projects like Athirapally in ecologically sensitive Kerala in the future. Will happen.” Pillai said.
According to Pillai, an expert in finance and accounts, the board was able to endure challenging times in 2018 and 19, especially through frequent floods and landslides, due to the board’s unprecedented drive without any power tariff hike. There has been a case of replacement of faulty electricity meters. “When I took over as CMD, at least 30 percent energy meter, Demodectic, Industry and Commercial categories, were defective. Now, the board has removed that threat. We could have stopped the loot and it was reflected in the revenue of the board. Had it not been for the massive natural calamities, KSEB would have become a profit making utility by now,” Pillai told TOI in an interview.
Pillai said that KSEB has emerged as one of the most efficient power utilities in the country and is capable of providing quality power at affordable rates. Unless the central government takes a strong stand against retaining power utilities in the public sector, the board can successfully compete with private electricity suppliers in the coming years. However, this would require the whole-hearted cooperation of the board’s staff, he said.
The feasibility study of the second phase expansion of Idukki power project will be completed soon and the board should be able to float tenders for the same by the end of 2021. “The size and nature of expansion of Phase II of Idukki Generating Station shall be based on the ongoing feasibility study. He said the new power station could capture a large part of the existing power generation set up 45 years ago in 1976.
The outgoing CMD said he received a strong support from the state government and was forced to respond when questions on the board’s integrity and merit were raised by political parties in the opposition. “I never got into an argument with politicians. When allegations are leveled against the organization and attempts are made to spread scams against it, naturally I am responsible for putting the facts before the public. The allegations against KSEB during the 2018 floods were debunked by a study by the Central Water Commission. He said the CIAL airport had to be closed for 10 days in 2019 due to heavy rains, even though KSEB did not release water from the dams.
Pillai was selected for the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) in 1995 while working in the office of the AG. He was first appointed as Director (Finance) of KSEB in 2015 while serving as AG of Chhattisgarh and was later promoted as CMD of KSEB in 2018.
However, Pillai, who left office after successfully leading the board during turbulent times, is of the opinion that hydropower projects are the most suitable and sustainable of the power sources. “Compared to thermal power, which currently makes up the bulk of the electricity we use, hydroelectricity is clean and carbon-free. But it is almost impossible to commission big new power projects like Athirapally in ecologically sensitive Kerala in the future. Will happen.” Pillai said.
According to Pillai, an expert in finance and accounts, the board was able to endure challenging times in 2018 and 19, especially through frequent floods and landslides, due to the board’s unprecedented drive without any power tariff hike. There has been a case of replacement of faulty electricity meters. “When I took over as CMD, at least 30 percent energy meter, Demodectic, Industry and Commercial categories, were defective. Now, the board has removed that threat. We could have stopped the loot and it was reflected in the revenue of the board. Had it not been for the massive natural calamities, KSEB would have become a profit making utility by now,” Pillai told TOI in an interview.
Pillai said that KSEB has emerged as one of the most efficient power utilities in the country and is capable of providing quality power at affordable rates. Unless the central government takes a strong stand against retaining power utilities in the public sector, the board can successfully compete with private electricity suppliers in the coming years. However, this would require the whole-hearted cooperation of the board’s staff, he said.
The feasibility study of the second phase expansion of Idukki power project will be completed soon and the board should be able to float tenders for the same by the end of 2021. “The size and nature of expansion of Phase II of Idukki Generating Station shall be based on the ongoing feasibility study. He said the new power station could capture a large part of the existing power generation set up 45 years ago in 1976.
The outgoing CMD said he received a strong support from the state government and was forced to respond when questions on the board’s integrity and merit were raised by political parties in the opposition. “I never got into an argument with politicians. When allegations are leveled against the organization and attempts are made to spread scams against it, naturally I am responsible for putting the facts before the public. The allegations against KSEB during the 2018 floods were debunked by a study by the Central Water Commission. He said the CIAL airport had to be closed for 10 days in 2019 due to heavy rains, even though KSEB did not release water from the dams.
Pillai was selected for the Indian Audit and Accounts Service (IA&AS) in 1995 while working in the office of the AG. He was first appointed as Director (Finance) of KSEB in 2015 while serving as AG of Chhattisgarh and was later promoted as CMD of KSEB in 2018.
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