Mylatti BESS project to be commissioned in October, says Power Minister Sunny Joseph

Amid the power crisis in the State, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph on Monday said the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects being implemented in Kasaragod district are progressing satisfactorily and will be commissioned by October, following an on-site review of the works at Mylatti at Mulleria substation. The Minister said the projects, being executed by the Kerala State Electricity Board, would make the district’s power distribution network more efficient, reliable and capable of supporting a modern renewable energy-based electricity system. He directed officials and implementing agencies to ensure the projects are completed within the scheduled time frame.

The BESS will store surplus solar power generated during the daytime and supply it during evenings when there is peak demand, helping stabilise voltage, prevent power shortages, and reduce KSEBL’s dependence on purchasing costly electricity from outside sources, thereby lowering its financial burden. The flagship project at the 220 kV Mylatti substation in Uduma gram panchayat has a capacity of 125 MW/500 MWh, with a daily storage capacity of 5 lakh units of electricity. It is the first four-hour battery storage project of its kind in India. The project is being implemented by SECI, with JSW Energy Limited as the developer under the Build-Own-Operate model (BOO).

The Minister said major civil works at Mylatti will be completed by July 31. The inverter supplies from abroad are expected this month, and battery containers will arrive by the end of August. The project is targeted for completion by October 16, 2026. At the 110 kV Mulleria substation in Karadaka gram panchayat, the BESS project has a capacity of 15 MW/ 60 MWh with a daily storage capacity of 60,000 units. NHPC is the implementing agency and Opera Energy is the developer under the BOO model. Power transformer delivery and inverter installation have been completed, sample testing is underway and battery containers are expected by August 20. The project is scheduled for completion by October 15, 2026.

Describing the project as a long-term investment with a 12-year project life, the Minister said they would support future electricity demand in Kasaragod, facilitate the growth of industry, IT, tourism and agriculture, expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and provide reliable backup power during emergencies. The review meeting at Mylatti was attended by MLA K. Neelakandan, KSEBL Director M.P. Rajan, Transmission Chief Engineer Shaji Sudhakaran, Renewable Energy Systems Deputy Chief Engineer Asha Martin, Kasaragod Executive Engineer Sivadasan S, and a representative of JSW Energy.