Thiruvananthapuram: The Moolamattom power house, the underground hydroelectric station of the Idukki dam, has been temporarily shut down for a month to carry out essential maintenance work. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has assured that there will be no load shedding during this period despite the loss in power generation.

According to KSEB officials, the maintenance work began on November 11 and is expected to continue until December 10. The repair focuses on fixing leaks in the main inlet valves that supply water to the turbines, particularly affecting units five and six of the power house. The plant has six generators, each capable of producing 130 megawatts of power.

Even though the shutdown is expected to reduce the state’s daily power generation capacity, KSEB has made arrangements to import electricity from other states and to use stored power from earlier surplus production. Officials said these measures will help maintain a stable power supply across Kerala.

The maintenance was originally scheduled for July but had to be postponed due to heavy rains. Officials noted that the current period was chosen as electricity demand is relatively lower, making it easier to manage the temporary shortage.

The Moolamattom plant plays a key role in Kerala’s power system and supports various irrigation and drinking water projects downstream. Authorities have been asked to monitor water flow and ensure that essential water supply services are not affected during the maintenance period.

Energy experts say the planned shutdown highlights the need for regular maintenance in older hydroelectric plants to ensure long-term reliability. They also praised KSEB’s preparation to prevent power cuts, saying it shows the board’s readiness to handle unexpected shortfalls.

The Idukki hydroelectric project, which houses the Moolamattom power station, remains one of the largest and most vital energy sources in the state, providing a major share of Kerala’s electricity needs.