Blistering Delhi turns power guzzler, demand crosses 6,000 MW

Delhi’s power demand peaked to the highest-ever, breaching the 6,000-MW mark on Thursday as a tormenting heatwave baked the city.

Delhi’s power demand peaked to the highest-ever, breaching the 6,000-MW mark on Thursday as a tormenting heatwave baked the city.

Girls cover their faces to protect themselves from the scorching heat on a hot summer day in New Delhi on Thursday. (Arun Sharma/Hindustan Times)

Power cuts worsened the situation with residents from several areas complaining about loadshedding.

The State Load Despatch Centre recorded the maximum power load of 6,044MW at 3.36pm. The previous all-time high was recorded on July 11, 2014 when consumption had reached 5,925 MW.

The state-run Delhi Transco Limited (DTL) said the demand of power had gone unpredictably high in the last few days. It said non-payment of dues by discoms BRPL and BYPL was hampering operations and maintenance.

Due to a snag in Bamnauli-Pappakalan 220-KV transmission line for a couple of hours, power supply in parts of west Delhi, including Dwarka, Janakpuri and Uttam Nagar was affected, power department officials said.

Areas such as Greater Kailash, South Extension, Sangam Vihar, Khanpur and Lajpat Nagar in south Delhi, Narela, Jahangirpuri, Burari, Vikaspuri, Ghonda and Bhajanpura in north Delhi and Ramnagar Extension II, Old Anarkali area, Azad Nagar, Krishna Nagar, Old Govindpura and Shahdara in east Delhi witnessed power cuts.

Read: Delhi sizzles at 47°C, weather dept cautions people

According to a power expert, due to extreme heat and power demand round- the-clock for the past few days, the electricity network is not getting sufficient time to cool down. This can stress the network and at times, increase faults, he said.

Discoms, however, claim to be prepared for more power load.

“We are expecting the peak demand in Delhi to cross 6,300 MW, including 1,850MW for Tata Power alone. We have arranged power up to 2,000MW (along with contingency planning) through long-term tie-ups and power banking arrangements and upgraded network to ensure regular supply.” Praveer Sinha, CEO and MD, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, said.

A BSES spokesperson claimed they had made arrangements for adequate power and said they were under huge financial stress due to non-liquidation of regulatory assets estimated to be over R16,000 crore as on March 31, 2016.

“As compared to this, dues payable by BSES to DTL are around R2,000 crore. We are awaiting the Supreme Court judgment, which will clear the path for recovery or liquidation of regulatory assets,” he said.

What you can do:

Switch off electrical equipment when not in use

Shift some load to non-peak hours. There are a number of activities which are not time bound and can be done when the demand of power is low. This will help reduce the tariff

Since humidity is not so high, coolers are also effective and consume less electricity

Switch off your air conditioners when not in use. Set the temperature between 25 to 27 degree for efficiency

Use star rated electrical equipments which are energy efficient

Peak power demands over the years:

Over the years, the demand of power in Delhi has risen:

Year -- (Peak Demand in MW)

2015 -- 5846

2014 -- 5925

2013 -- 5653

2012 -- 5642

2011 -- 5028

2010 -- 4720

2009 -- 4408

2008 -- 4034