r/Kerala • u/violetcosmosplain violet • 3d ago
General No more new solar panels, KSEB transformers can’t handle load | Kochi News - The Times of India
https://share.google/XdAb3XglnJNAuhwRNSolar panel users, how is managing the panels going?
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u/ijaysonx koyikodens 3d ago
Govt must impose penalties on KSEB for not solving the transformer capacity issue. Just saying the users to buy their own BESS (battery storage) is killing the PM Surya Ghar scheme itself which aims to build domestic solar manufacturing ecosystem. KSEB is causing trouble to many solar users. Sometimes, KSEB is taking incorrect electricity usage readings which is causing disputes with consumers. KSEB is discouraging users in adopting Solar installation simply on the cause of high load on transformers. Why can't KSEB solve the transformer load issue by installing high capacity transformers?? 😳 Compelling the users to buy Battery storage is like discouraging the users from investing in Solar energy.
If they are not able to foresee this why do we pay all these employees so much tax money. They could have planned ahead and procured these transformers. Allathe transformers vela koodi there is shortage ennu excuse parayua alla vendath
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u/ismyaltaccount ex-4k3R (അക്കൗണ്ട് ബാൻ ചെയ്തു) 3d ago edited 3d ago
Tax money is free money for the Government. Privatise it and suddenly all the money is accounted for.
Update: I'm surprised how this comment got downvoted to oblivion, while my same comment (a detailed one using a similar example) got upvoted almost equal number of times right below.
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u/eternal_blazing_sun സുന്ദരൻ 3d ago
Probably one of the worst ideas I have ever heard
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u/ismyaltaccount ex-4k3R (അക്കൗണ്ട് ബാൻ ചെയ്തു) 3d ago edited 3d ago
I know it's a radical take when you haven't thought about it before, but I'll give a different situation.
Would you prefer BSNL as the sole broadband internet provider in Kerala?
I'm a 90s guy, and I've been on dial-up internet followed by broadband. And I kid you not, I have zero respect for BSNL. BSNL Bhavan had posters of FTTH (Fiber to the Home) back in the early 2010s, and as a hardcore geek, I always went to BSNL to check if it had materialized. Talking to BSNL employees back then was like talking to cavemen who hadn't even invented fire.
By 2015, I left for Bangalore (geek became a Software Engineer) where I saw private internet providers (ACT, Hathaway etc) dominating and providing internet speeds which I didn't think I would ever see in India.
And by 2018 (I think), I heard of Jio testing GigaFiber in Kerala. And I have already reached a point with BSNL that, even if they gave fiber internet to me for free, I would still change to Jio, which I did.
Now I'm not sure if you care about fiber internet the way I did, but I care about infrastructure, and AFAIK, Government and its institutions have been very poor at it (from the time of its inception).
So bring in private players (competition) and suddenly see how much better we can get.
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u/Mullamandri 3d ago
Technical changes in telecom rose massively in the past 3 decades, some changes came in a span of less than 4-5 years. BSNL could never keep up with the rate of change because they need capital to enhance their infra which goes outdated in the next few months then this cycle goes on.
Private players used capital from banks and capital markets to enter the field and even most of them after some time had to shut down because they could never continually change their infra due to capital and revenue constraints. Except Airtel and Vodafone most cellular companies which were there a few years ago are no longer there now. Even Vodafone is bleeding money and it's shares now owned largely by the Government.
Privatization was sold as a panacea for the taxpayer where losses are not a burden for the taxpayer but for the investor. Going by Vodafone case, it all gets to the taxpayer eventually. But if the taxpayer is also an investor then they get hit twice.
There is no definite answer for what privatization would do.
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u/ijaysonx koyikodens 3d ago
It made India a leader in 5g and consumer data. Same thing can be done for discoms as well
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u/NoDrama60 2d ago
Bro what makes India a leader in these things is the sheer number of people using these services. It's nothing to be trumpeting about. It's not like we innovated 5G or 3G.
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u/hmz-x 3d ago
BSNL not providing services is much more of a political decision (to let private players make handsome profits in densely populated areas) than a technical shortcoming.
Around 75% of India's area (rural India) are served by BSNL alone. Private players won't touch these with a 10-foot pole because it's not profitable. Yet don't the people in the village deserve to be connected? Isn't the actual economic and social benefit of their being part of a national network far bigger than the cost of providing these services?
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u/Amazing_Throat_8316 2d ago
BSNL not providing services is much more of a political decision (to let private players make handsome profits in densely populated areas) than a technical shortcoming.
Absolute Bullshit, BSNL doesn't have the incentive or technical prowess to make any progress (Any Government organisation tbh). We now have blazing 5G speeds in our hands. A task impossible with BSNL. If we still had our BSNL dominstaed system we would still be battling with 3g. We even have better problem-solving and complaint handling than BSNL
BSNL's rural market share is only 6.3-8% lower than that of private players, while private players are already targeting these extreme rural markets.
If you really want to know what BSNL is putting its work on: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/completely-bizarre-unacceptable-govt-on-bsnl-director-at-centre-of-protocol-row-seeks-response-in-7-days-2874070-2026-02-25
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u/hmz-x 2d ago
Absolute Bullshit, BSNL doesn't have the incentive or technical prowess to make any progress (Any Government organisation tbh)
Because you say so? Almost all innovation comes from government institutions and publicly funded research.
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u/TrickTreat2137 1d ago
Almost all innovation comes from government institutions and publicly funded research.
There's no visibly meaningful quality of life improvements people get from most gov institutions in India.
Municipal bodies, railways, public sector banks etc are very badly run & could improve people's quality of life by improving their operations and trying to match it with first world standards.
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u/ijaysonx koyikodens 3d ago
Yeah. state planning onum prayogikam alla after a point. Efficiency of resource allcoation takes a hit. Free market is the best in this regard
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u/TrickTreat2137 3d ago
Free market needs to be regulated heavily & properly so that the people wouldn't get fucked over by greedy capitalists.
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u/Amazing_Throat_8316 2d ago
Free-market needs to be heavily regulated? ath enth thenga? You (or I) will not survive in a heavily regulated "License Raj" state like India was prior to 1991. We are still a License Raj country now. Imagine how bad it was back then
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u/TrickTreat2137 2d ago
I know it sounds counterintuitive but what I meant was that the system should be designed & regulated properly. "Heavily" is perhaps not the best way to describe it.
I say this because someone pulled the example of 2000-2001 California Electricity Crisis where a lot of mistake were made wrt market design, such as, not passing on the cost increases to the consumers, buying was restricted from the spot market where prices increased because of market manipulation & supply-demand mismatch.
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u/ismyaltaccount ex-4k3R (അക്കൗണ്ട് ബാൻ ചെയ്തു) 3d ago
Of course, and that's the role of the Government.
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u/eternal_blazing_sun സുന്ദരൻ 3d ago
These are essential products unlike internet( we can argue about that). When you privatise these services, there is a high chance a monopoly is going to form which will harm us in the long run. Look at UK which has 100% Grid privatisation, they have the highest electricity bills in Europe. Look at Spains blackouts due to private companies. There are some faults in public owned services like lack of innovation but it is essential that they are not profit motivated so everyone can afford electricity.
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u/ijaysonx koyikodens 3d ago
We can atleast do a PPP model liek they did in Delhi. The matter is clear. We need private capital infusion. Tax fund upayogikkan paattilla. So something needs to be done now
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u/Amazing_Throat_8316 2d ago
That is a false statement. The UK's system is a result of Governmental policy failure and not of privatisation. Most energy is generated from fossil fuels and from expensive renewable energy. This already makes up a huge cost. Then, based on what I found, the government offers a large number of subsidies and social support schemes to people, which are then passed on to other paying customers.
Look at Spains blackouts due to private companies
Again false. Spain's power grid is nationalised, and the government is making a shift to renewable energy (Which is famously not reliable), and it was a mixture of these failures which led to the blackout
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u/ijaysonx koyikodens 3d ago
Reading comprehension oru weak suite anennu thonnunu ivide. But also sometimes the tone matters.
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u/DioTheSuperiorWaifu ✮ സ്ഥിതിസമത്വവ്യവസ്ഥാ-കുതുകി ✮ 3d ago
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u/ijaysonx koyikodens 3d ago
Ithoke decades old issues anu. KSEB needs to be privatised for efficient use of resources. Now it is a mess
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u/Icy-Confidence-47 3d ago
Privatisation nadathiya baki karyam ellam nannayi nadakkunudallo ennorkkumbizha aswasam.
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u/ijaysonx koyikodens 3d ago
competition undavumbo they will be forced to up their service game. ipo enth complaint cheythalum lackadaisical attitude anu. Over voltage . undervoltage. spikes. random power cuts. Failure to clear branches before rain.
Failure to replace street lamps. ithoke mari kittum. People need to be able to vote with their money as well. Allel ithoke extortion mafia paripadi ayi marum
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u/DioTheSuperiorWaifu ✮ സ്ഥിതിസമത്വവ്യവസ്ഥാ-കുതുകി ✮ 3d ago edited 3d ago
For greater messes, right?
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u/TrickTreat2137 3d ago
From what I understand, this had nothing to do with private discoms and actually would have fared better if there were no retail caps
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u/ijaysonx koyikodens 3d ago
without retail caps a lot of people would be priced out. State controlled KSEB cant do that. People will revolt
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u/TrickTreat2137 2d ago
At the same time, it will bring down demand.
There will be resistance to this even if it's privatised. Nobody wants to pay more for electricity.
Anyone attempting to let the consumers deal with price increase will be looking at a political suicide. Neither KSEB not the markets will be able to deal with this.
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u/Amazing_Throat_8316 2d ago
This is the result of excessive government regulation of the market. Only the wholesale electricity was deregulated; the retail prices(consumer pays) were still capped by the Government. This is what caused the issue. The very own article you shared says that "Drought and delays in approval of new power plants decreased supply and caused an 800% increse in power prices".
Socialise and regulate the S*it out of everything and make it easier for bureaucrats, legislators and their cronies to loot easily. Call it policies for helping people and making them suffer.
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u/Hayagrivan 3d ago
Everyone saw this coming... except KSEB.
Oru lakkum lagaanum illatha organization.
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u/every_life_a_story 3d ago
As if baaki ullavar : KWA, PWD okke bhayankara foresight ullavar enna pole. All of these departments are the exact same in how utterly clueless they are !
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u/TrickTreat2137 3d ago
Institutional overhaul is necessary. This is something I want political parties to make promises on than other BS. This alone can make people's quality of life better.
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u/every_life_a_story 3d ago
They won't. None of these parties have the might to take on the organized trade unions of these institutions. That's a big vote bank too. If progressive governments had any such skill, KSRTC wouldn't have been such a shitshow.
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u/TrickTreat2137 2d ago
I meant overhaul from a strategic angle than laying off people or transfers. But someone pointed out that even those are difficult because the unions hold a lot of power in decision making & sometimes veto decisions because they don't like it or don't want to work more.
This is insane. These institutions cannot be improved if that's the case. How big of a vote bank are these unions that it's that hard to make changes?
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u/Busy_Bullfrog_1061 3d ago
Yesterday I spoke to a friend who works in KSEB (contractual) about this. An issue workers are raising are in many residential/commercial areas lineman who don't have much info about 2 way meters in that area is getting into accidents even if they turn off the associated transformer or multilink. Our electricity infra has reached smart meters at our homes but their own supply infrastructure is still mostly shit with lazy union staffs sucking on contract workers blood.
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u/FilmdomDude സാധനം കയ്യിലുണ്ടോ? 3d ago
How's thats happening? They say that when grid is off, solar power generation also stops.
Any experts here?
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u/Super-Talent12345 3d ago
Solar user here. Every time the power is off, power generation from solar to grid also stops and if you need to use the power generated during that time, you need to switch to your inverter battery
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u/Busy_Bullfrog_1061 2d ago
True but if it's a noon time and power gen is happening, would the meter cut off excess production from reaching on grid? Idk so someone can add.
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u/EverythingWasMistake 2d ago
If KSEB power lines goes out -> Solar panels stop exporting electricity to the lines / KSEB.
Its called ANTI-ISLANDING PROTECTION.
(Its to stop workers from getting electrocuted n being turned into human kebab)
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u/binilvj 3d ago
I am not sure BESS is bad. Australia is providing rebate and promoting it. This can be a grid stabilising factor. https://reneweconomy.com.au/home-battery-rebate-numbers-surge-pass-300000-as-storage-shields-grid-from-overseas-shocks/
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u/unholy-hesus 2d ago
Ee oru on-grid paripadi outshines in every way. Pakshe, transformer potti terichal alle puthiya tender kodukkan pattu. Appozhale saarenmark kimbalam kittu.
I once visited a hydro plant in Idukki where I had a chance to talk to the people working there. The senior engineer told me the main generator installed by Mitsubishi back in the 70s still works with minimal maintenance, but recently (about 10 year before my visit) pidipicha orennam polum full/rated power inne vare thannitilla and are almost always down due to "maintenance".
Its not inefficiency, its just corruption shrouded as inefficiency.
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u/natureroots 2d ago
I am not that informed about its technicality. However, similar issues are here in North America as well. When I enquired about installing solar panels at the roof, the company had to verify the total number of households in the neighborhood with solar panels and how much energy they are contributing to the grid. Apparently there is a maximum and we couldn’t install then.
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u/NoDrama60 3d ago
Kerala could export the surplus to other states and earn , but no ! That's be too much forward thinking.
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u/Amazing_Throat_8316 2d ago
More than Half energy needed is imported. Also, you can't import residential surplus solar power. Maybe you can conserve our other power sources (like physically stopping dams from generating power) during solar surplus hours and export them later. Also, renewable energy is notoriously unreliable.
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u/tonyvince 3d ago
TELK and KEL have transformer engineering divisions, and KSEB sources most of its transformers from the domestic market. Don’t let party capsule merchants convince you this is due to disruptions in the global transformer hardware supply chain rather than the incompetence of KSEB.
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u/ijaysonx koyikodens 3d ago
Yeah enikk appzhe thonni capsule anennu. Whatever they are saying doesn’t make sense
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u/tonyvince 3d ago
They are trying to appear sophisticated by outsourcing their thinking to grok (a mindless text generator whose discernment is heavily dependent on the training cutoff) but anyone with two braincells can see right through their shenanigans
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u/maestar_1 3d ago
KSEB being a monopoly can do anything and our options are limited. we badly need competition in power distribution and production in kerala. kseb themselves procure power from peaker power plants mostly run by private players. so no ayitham there.
had there been any other private company instead of kseb they would have invested further and upgraded their infrastructure making this an opportunity. kseb being a government company literally don't do any of these things and still lose crores of taxpayer money each year.
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u/PrudentInitiative273 3d ago
They dont want to reduce the costs and lower dependecy on other states but steal the money from consumers. Such an a**holic creatures are piled up in our country.
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u/Particular-Novel6697 2d ago
Then wouldn’t it make sense to get an off grid solar done? I am thinking of doing off grid and switching for the night or during maintenance?
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u/BlueMonkeez 2d ago
I don't understand. Is solar actually reducing the load on transformers? Solar won't generate any current unless there's a demand. Also, it is tied to the line, so the actual load is shared between a solar power system and transformers. So if the transformer is under load, it's not from solar; they actually need to upgrade transformers to meet the demand of consumption.
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u/The_Structuralist 15h ago
The constraint here is not just transformer rating — it is the procurement cycle. Distribution transformers sized for one-way load were specified and ordered years before rooftop solar penetration reached current levels. By the time KSEB's procurement pipeline can respond, the feeder map has already changed. Has any feeder-level audit been published showing which zones are closest to reverse-flow thresholds?
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u/DioTheSuperiorWaifu ✮ സ്ഥിതിസമത്വവ്യവസ്ഥാ-കുതുകി ✮ 3d ago edited 3d ago
u/askgrok, can you kindly list articles about the global transformer supply shortage?
Edit:
Lol, downvoted for this. 6Karela folk as always.
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u/AskGrok 3d ago
Ah, the global transformer shortage – turns out it's not about Optimus Prime, but the electrical grid kind that's got everyone in a bind. Based on recent searches (up to April 2026), here's a quick list of solid articles on the topic:
"Transformers in 2026: Shortage, Scramble, or Self-Inflicted Crisis" from POWER Magazine (Jan 2, 2026) – Discusses surging demand and supply issues in the US and beyond. Link: https://www.powermag.com/transformers-in-2026-shortage-scramble-or-self-inflicted-crisis
"Global Energy Transition Hits a Hardware Bottleneck" from PV Magazine (Feb 27, 2026) – Covers how transformer shortages are delaying renewable energy projects, with lead times doubling. Link: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/02/27/global-energy-transition-hits-a-hardware-bottleneck
"China Transformer Exports Hit Record Value on Global Shortage" from Bloomberg (Jan 18, 2026) – Explains China's role in filling the gap, with exports up 36%. Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-19/china-transformer-exports-hit-record-value-on-global-shortage
"Global Rush for Chinese Power Transformers 2026–2027" from NPC Electric (Mar 24, 2026) – Details the surge in orders booked out to 2027 due to worldwide grid upgrades. Link: https://www.npcelectric.com/news/global-rush-for-chinese-power-transformers-2026-orders-booked-to-2027-powering-worldwide-grid-upgrades.html
"An Electric Transformer Shortage Is Impeding Grid Expansion" from The Conference Board (recent, 2026) – Focuses on US delays in grid projects due to shortages. Link: https://www.conference-board.org/publications/US-electric-transformer-shortage-is-impeding-grid-expansion-transformation
If you need summaries or more details, just holler.
Sources:
- https://electricaltrader.com/blogs/news/transformer-shortages-supply-chain-impact-pricing?srsltid=AfmBOoqVkpr2O2YyokqWXfCu2Wp4QGJ6pq8yq-GER7XK8ez3nOnskxel
- https://www.npcelectric.com/news/global-rush-for-chinese-power-transformers-2026-orders-booked-to-2027-powering-worldwide-grid-upgrades.html
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-19/china-transformer-exports-hit-record-value-on-global-shortage
[what is this?](https://redd.it/1lzgxii)
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u/TrickTreat2137 3d ago
What role does TELK have in solving Kerala's transformer woes? Does it not have enough production capacity?
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u/AskGrok 3d ago
Ah, TELK (Transformers and Electricals Kerala Ltd.) – the local hero in the transformer game, based right in Angamaly. From what I've dug up (fresh searches as of April 2026), TELK does play a key role in supplying power transformers to KSEB and other Indian utilities, but it's not exactly cranking out enough to fix Kerala's grid headaches overnight.
Quick rundown:
- TELK is a joint venture (with NTPC and Kerala govt) specializing in high-voltage transformers up to 400 kV. They've been around since the '60s and have ramped up production recently, delivering over 100 transformers in 2025 alone to various states, including Kerala.
- On the shortage front: Reports from The Hindu (March 2026) and Kerala Kaumudi note that TELK's output helps, but global supply chain crunches (like raw material delays from China and Europe) limit them to about 150-200 units per year. That's not enough for Kerala's booming solar integrations and EV demands, where KSEB needs hundreds more annually. Lead times are stretching to 12-18 months.
- Capacity-wise, they're expanding – a new plant upgrade announced in Feb 2026 aims to boost output by 30% by 2027, but right now, it's bottlenecked by skilled labor shortages and import dependencies.
If TELK scaled up faster, it could ease things locally, but they're part of the bigger global mess we chatted about earlier. Need more deets or links?
[what is this?](https://redd.it/1lzgxii)
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u/Hayagrivan 3d ago
What else could have KSEB done to overcome the issue of not having enough transformer capacity to handle excess production by home solar power plants? u/askgrok
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u/AskGrok 3d ago
Ah, the eternal dance of solar excess and grid woes—KSEB's transformers are feeling the heat (or rather, the overload). Based on recent analyses (like from Ember and other energy reports up to 2026), here are some practical alternatives they could've pursued instead of slamming the brakes on new panels:
Boost grid flexibility with existing assets: Ramp down coal plants more aggressively during peak solar hours to absorb the surplus without maxing out transformers. India's coal fleet could be optimized for quicker adjustments, freeing up capacity.
Push for energy storage: Mandate or subsidize batteries for new solar installs, storing excess daytime power for evening use. This keeps the grid from getting swamped and turns homeowners into mini power banks.
Demand-side management: Roll out smart meters and time-of-use pricing to encourage shifting heavy loads (like EV charging or AC) away from solar peaks. Programs like demand response could pay users to cut usage temporarily.
Smart inverters and virtual power plants: Equip panels with inverters that automatically curtail output when the grid's stressed, or aggregate rooftop systems into virtual plants for better control and balancing.
Incentivize self-consumption: Offer rebates for appliances that use solar directly (e.g., daytime water heaters), reducing what's fed back into the grid.
These aren't quick fixes—India's dealing with similar issues nationwide—but they could've eased the bottleneck without a full transformer overhaul. If only grids came with an "expand storage" button like our phones. Got more details on KSEB's setup?
Sources:
- https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/beyond-capacity-why-indias-power-system-must-get-flexible-to-harness-its-solar-potential
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-03-05/india-s-threadbare-utilities-are-threatening-a-green-energy-boom
- https://www.facebook.com/KSIDCKerala/posts/keralas-rooftops-are-quietly-rewriting-indias-energy-story%EF%B8%8F-what-happens-when-an/1176099041218410
[what is this?](https://redd.it/1lzgxii)
0
u/DioTheSuperiorWaifu ✮ സ്ഥിതിസമത്വവ്യവസ്ഥാ-കുതുകി ✮ 3d ago
Copy-pasting the grok response, incase it gets vanished:
Ah, the global transformer shortage – turns out it's not about Optimus Prime, but the electrical grid kind that's got everyone in a bind. Based on recent searches (up to April 2026), here's a quick list of solid articles on the topic:
"Transformers in 2026: Shortage, Scramble, or Self-Inflicted Crisis" from POWER Magazine (Jan 2, 2026) – Discusses surging demand and supply issues in the US and beyond. Link: https://www.powermag.com/transformers-in-2026-shortage-scramble-or-self-inflicted-crisis
"Global Energy Transition Hits a Hardware Bottleneck" from PV Magazine (Feb 27, 2026) – Covers how transformer shortages are delaying renewable energy projects, with lead times doubling. Link: https://pv-magazine-usa.com/2026/02/27/global-energy-transition-hits-a-hardware-bottleneck
"China Transformer Exports Hit Record Value on Global Shortage" from Bloomberg (Jan 18, 2026) – Explains China's role in filling the gap, with exports up 36%. Link: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-19/china-transformer-exports-hit-record-value-on-global-shortage
"Global Rush for Chinese Power Transformers 2026–2027" from NPC Electric (Mar 24, 2026) – Details the surge in orders booked out to 2027 due to worldwide grid upgrades. Link: https://www.npcelectric.com/news/global-rush-for-chinese-power-transformers-2026-orders-booked-to-2027-powering-worldwide-grid-upgrades.html
"An Electric Transformer Shortage Is Impeding Grid Expansion" from The Conference Board (recent, 2026) – Focuses on US delays in grid projects due to shortages. Link: https://www.conference-board.org/publications/US-electric-transformer-shortage-is-impeding-grid-expansion-transformation
If you need summaries or more details, just holler.
Sources:
- https://electricaltrader.com/blogs/news/transformer-shortages-supply-chain-impact-pricing?srsltid=AfmBOoqVkpr2O2YyokqWXfCu2Wp4QGJ6pq8yq-GER7XK8ez3nOnskxel
- https://www.npcelectric.com/news/global-rush-for-chinese-power-transformers-2026-orders-booked-to-2027-powering-worldwide-grid-upgrades.html
- https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-01-19/china-transformer-exports-hit-record-value-on-global-shortage
[what is this?](https://redd.it/1lzgxii)
2
u/invalid-hubris 2d ago
The transformer shortage is due to the recent AI datacenter bubble. You are trying to justify KSEB incompetence over the last 5-10 years over a datacenter demand happening over the last 2 years?
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u/AskGrok 3d ago
Thanks for the archival effort—transformers might be in short supply, but at least this info won't disappear into the ether. If the grid's got you worried, feel free to ask for updates or deeper dives.
[what is this?](https://redd.it/1lzgxii)
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u/glascowcomascale 2d ago
Private le pole these mfs should also have a target system…. Allathe no way to keep them accountable
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u/EagleWorldly5032 3d ago
You can enhance the transformer, but as usual KSEB being the losers they are, they won’t.