# Kerala BESS saves KSEB ₹3.6 lakh daily but surplus power loss mounts 2026-11-09T05:42:05+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 2 independent outlets The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is saving at least ₹3.6 lakh daily from its newly operational 15-MW Battery Energy Storage System at Mulleria in Kasaragod, Onmanorama reports. The unit discharges 60,000 units between 7 pm and 11 pm at a landed cost of ₹9.98 per unit, against over ₹16 per unit from external peak-hour purchases. The ₹60-crore project, built by Gujarat-based Opera Green Yana Private Limited under NHPC’s aegis, awaits formal commissioning though tapping began on October 16. Separately, Mathrubhumi reports KSEB is surrendering 80 lakh to one crore units of electricity daily because supply exceeds demand. The board surrendered 1.13 crore units on November 1 alone, nearly 10 per cent of Kerala’s daily consumption of around nine crore units, incurring an estimated daily loss of about ₹2 crore. It has not bought power from Himachal Pradesh or via GNA since November 1. The regulatory commission estimates no additional purchase is needed until February 2027. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The two outlets cover different facets of Kerala's power situation. Onmanorama leads with the savings from the Mulleria storage plant and frames it as a success, while noting the Mylatti project's delay costs over ₹30 lakh daily. Mathrubhumi's report dwells on the financial burden of surplus power, estimating a ₹2 crore daily loss. Neither story disputes the other's figures, but together they present a mixed picture: one innovation saving money alongside systemic inefficiencies. The commission's estimate that no additional power is needed until February 2027, and NTPC's unsigned agreement for 540 MW from Sinnar, emerge as the key factors to watch. Onmanorama's framing is positive, highlighting the technological achievement and daily savings. Mathrubhumi's is more critical, emphasising wastage and financial losses. A balanced view requires noting both the operational gains from storage and the continuing costs of surplus power. ## Coverage Coverage: 2 sources, 2 neutral - onmanorama.com (neutral report) Leads with savings from BESS, presents figures without overt criticism, includes delay costs. - mathrubhumi.com (neutral report) Focuses on surrendered power and financial losses, factual reporting. This brief was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above, so one read covers every framing they carry. Tags: Kerala, KSEB, NHPC, NTPC, Sinnar Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/kerala-bess-saves-kseb-rs3-6-lakh-daily-but-surplus-power-loss-mounts/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/kerala-bess-saves-kseb-rs3-6-lakh-daily-but-surplus-power-loss-mounts/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the reports linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. Stance labels are editorial classifications of how each outlet framed this story, assigned by the same model, not ratings of the outlets. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/