Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Power addressed concerns regarding Lakshadweep's power supply, which relies primarily on diesel generator (DG) sets. The response details the current power infrastructure, including solar energy integration, and outlines plans to augment DG capacity, ensure technical support, and implement renewable energy projects for uninterrupted power supply. Projects are underway and proposed for 2025-2026.
Key Points / Main Content:
Current Power Infrastructure:
* The primary power source in Lakshadweep is diesel generator (DG) sets with a total installed capacity of 33.88 MVA, meeting a peak demand of 13.3 MW in 2024-25.
* Solar energy is harnessed through:
* A 1400 kWp Solar PV Plant with a 1400 kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) at Kavaratti.
* A 300 kWp Solar PV Plant at Agatti Island.
* 1603 kWp solar capacity from 538 rooftop solar systems across the islands.
Augmentation of DG Set Capacity:
* Commissioned DG sets:
* 1 x 1010 kVA at Agatti
* 2 x 1010 kVA at Andrott
* 1 x 750 kVA at Chetlat
* DG sets under installation:
* 1 x 1010 kVA at Minicoy
* 1 x 1010 kVA at Amini
* 1 x 1010 kVA at Kiltan
* 1 x 1500 kVA at Kavaratti
* DG sets proposed for 2025-2026 (tendered):
* 1 x 1010 kVA at Kiltan
* 1 x 1010 kVA at Kalpeni
* 1 x 1010 kVA at Agatti
* 1 x 320 kVA at Bitra
* 1 x 1500 kVA at Kavaratti
* Additional DG sets are intended to ensure operational efficiency, reliability, and backup during emergencies, maintenance, and DG set failures.
Technical Support for DG Sets:
* The Lakshadweep Electricity Department has arrangements for DG set repair and overhauling via qualified service personnel.
* A dedicated team of departmental technical staff is available on each island.
* Specialist technicians are engaged on a short-term basis for specific faults or major repairs.
Steps to Ensure Uninterrupted Power Supply:
* Ground-Based Solar Power Plants:
* 1400 kWp Solar PV Plant with 1400 kWh BESS commissioned at Kavaratti.
* 300 kWp Solar PV Plant commissioned at Agatti Island.
* Work awarded for 638 kWp Solar PV Plant with 25 kWh BESS at Andrott.
* Work awarded for 314 kWp Solar PV Plant with 12 kWh BESS at Amini.
* Rooftop Solar Installations:
* 538 rooftop solar systems totaling 1603 kWp commissioned on private residential buildings.
* Tender floated for installing 2107 kWp capacity with 5525 kWh BESS on Government buildings.
* Floating Solar Plant:
* Tenders floated for 6 MWp Floating Solar Power Plant with 16 MWh BESS at Kavaratti.
* Tenders floated for 5.25 MWp Floating Solar Power Plant with 16 MWh BESS at Agatti Island.
* Feasibility and Environmental Impact Assessment studies are ongoing for similar installations at Minicoy, Kadmat, Kiltan, and Chetlat Islands.
Impact Analysis:
Lakshadweep Electricity Department:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing and maintaining the power infrastructure upgrades, including DG sets and solar power systems.
* Action Required: Oversee the installation, commissioning, and maintenance of new DG sets and solar plants. Manage technical staff and specialist technicians for DG set repairs. Monitor power demand and adjust generation capacity accordingly.
Residents of Lakshadweep:
* Impact: Will benefit from a more reliable and sustainable power supply, with reduced power outages and increased access to electricity.
* Action Required: Participate in rooftop solar installation programs on residential buildings.
Government of India (Ministry of Power):
* Impact: Responsible for funding and overseeing the power supply improvements in Lakshadweep.
* Action Required: Continue to support and monitor the progress of the various power projects.
Technical Staff and Specialist Technicians:
* Impact: Responsible for the maintenance, repair, and overhauling of DG sets and solar power systems.
* Action Required: Provide timely and effective technical support to minimize power disruptions.
Key Entities Referenced
Lakshadweep: A Union Territory of India, an archipelago of islands off the coast of Kerala.
Ministry of Power: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for power generation, transmission, and distribution.
Diesel Generator DG sets: The primary source of power in Lakshadweep, used to generate electricity.
Kavaratti: The capital of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India. Location of solar power plants and battery energy storage systems.
Agatti Island: An island in Lakshadweep, India with solar power plants.
Lakshadweep Electricity Department: The department responsible for electricity generation and distribution in Lakshadweep.
Battery Energy Storage System BESS: Systems used in conjunction with solar PV plants to store and release energy, ensuring a more stable power supply.
Solar PV Plant: A renewable energy source being implemented in Lakshadweep to reduce reliance on diesel generators.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF POWER
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.815
ANSWERED ON 24.07.2025
POWER SUPPLY IN LAKSHADWEEP
815. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED:
Will the Minister of POWER
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is aware that the power supply in the Union Territory
of Lakshadweep is entirely dependent on Diesel Generator (DG) sets without any
backup systems in place and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to provide additional DG sets on all islands
to prevent prolonged power outages and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether there is any proposal to appoint specialist technicians on ad-hoc or
permanent basis to address technical failures in DG sets and if so, the details thereof;
and
(d) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure
uninterrupted power supply in all inhabited islands of the Union Territory of
Lakshadweep?
A N S W E R
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER
(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)
(a) : The primary source of power supply in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep is
diesel generator (DG) sets, with a total installed capacity of 33.88 MVA to meet the
peak demand of 13.3 MW for the year 2024–25. In addition to diesel-based generation,
the Lakshadweep Electricity Department is also harnessing solar energy through the
following systems:
1. A 1400 kWp Solar PV Plant with a 1400 kWh Battery Energy Storage System
(BESS) at Kavaratti.
2. A 300 kWp Solar PV Plant at Agatti Island.
3. An aggregate of 1603 kWp solar capacity from 538 rooftop solar systems is
installed and commissioned across the islands.
(b) : The Lakshadweep Electricity Department continually assesses the demand and
augments generation capacity accordingly. The Details of commissioned, under
installation and proposed DG set during 2025-2026 are given below.
A –Commissioned:
1 1 x 1010 kVA at Agatti.
2 2 x 1010 kVA at Andrott
3 1 x 750 kVA at Chetlat
B - Currently Under Installation:
1 1 x 1010 kVA at Minicoy
2 1 x 1010 kVA at Amini
3 1 x 1010 kVA at Kiltan
4 1 x 1500 kVA at Kavaratti
……2.- 2 -
C - Proposed for 2025-26 (Tendered):
1 1 x 1010 kVA at Kiltan
2 1 x 1010 kVA at Kalpeni
3 1 x 1010 kVA at Agatti
4 1 x 320 kVA at Bitra
5 1 x 1500 kVA at Kavaratti
The additional diesel generator sets are available on all islands to ensure
operational efficiency, reliability, and backup during emergencies. Further, this
additional DG capacity is utilized during operations and maintenance (O&M) activities
and in the event of any DG set failure, thereby maintaining an uninterrupted power
supply.
(c) : The electricity department of UT of Lakshadweep has arrangements in place
for the repair and overhauling of DG sets through qualified service personnel. In
addition, a dedicated team of departmental technical staff is available on each island.
As and when required, specialist technicians are engaged on a short-term or
assignment basis to attend to specific faults or major repairs, ensuring minimal
disruption to the power supply.
(d) : To ensure uninterrupted power supply across all inhabited islands of the UT of
Lakshadweep, following steps have been taken:
A. Solar Power Plants (Ground Based):-
1. A 1400 kWp Solar PV Plant with 1400 kWh Battery Energy Storage System I (BESS)
has been commissioned at Kavaratti.
2. A 300 kWp Solar PV Plant has been commissioned at Agatti Island.
3. Work has been awarded for the installation of a 638 kWp ground-mounted Solar PV
Plant with 25 kWh BESS at Andrott.
4. Work has been awarded for the installation of a 314 kWp ground-mounted Solar PV
Plant with 12 kWh BESS at Amini.
B. Rooftop Solar Installations:
1. A total of 538 rooftop solar systems with an aggregate capacity of 1603 kWp have
been installed and commissioned on private residential buildings across the
islands.
2. Rooftop solar installations on Government buildings are also being taken up
separately. A tender has already been floated for the installation of 2107 kWp
capacity with 5525 kWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to achieve this
objective.
C. Floating Solar Plant:
1. Tenders have been floated for setting up a 6 MWp Floating Solar Power Plant with
16 MWh BESS at Kavaratti.
2. Tenders have been floated for setting up a 5.25 MWp Floating Solar Power Plant
with 16 MWh BESS at Agatti Island.
3. Feasibility studies have been completed, and Environmental Impact Assessment
(EIA) studies are ongoing for similar floating solar installations at Minicoy,
Kadmat, Kiltan, and Chetlat Islands.
This hybrid approach combining diesel and renewable sources, supported by
energy storage systems, is aimed at ensuring energy security, reliability and
sustainability in the long run.
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