Power demand crosses 4,000 MW mark, officials prepare for the worst

As the mercury soared to 41 degree Celsius on Tuesday, the power demand also increased substantially in the city -- peaking at 4121 MW.

As the mercury soared to 41 degree Celsius on Tuesday, the power demand also increased substantially in the city -- peaking at 4121 MW.

According to senior power department officials, they had anticipated a peak demand of 4200 MW for April.

“Till now, the growth in demand is marginally lower than anticipated and in line with the projections. Delhi is anticipating a peak demand of 6100 MW in the first fortnight of June. Power distribution companies have made adequate arrangements to meet the anticipated peak demand,” said Arun Goyal, principal secretary (power).

Goyal advised people to use electrical appliances, particularly air-conditioners, judiciously while assuring that there would be sufficient power.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP chief Harsh Vardhan asked the Lt. Governor not to allow the power regulator to increase power tariff till the audit was over.

“Till the report is not submitted to the government and the government takes action on the report, the power regulator should not be allowed to increase any kind of fees, surcharge, tax etc,” said Vardhan.

Vardhan said L-G Najeeb Jung should not allow the power companies to increase fixed charge from `40 to `100 in the current power bills.

He said the power companies earlier used to serve bills for a period of 45 days. “Now with the connivance of the government and the power regulator, bills for power consumption are being served for every 30 days. This way a consumer, who used to pay additional charges like fixed charge, late payment fee for a period of 60 days has been now compelled to pay such charges every 30 days. This is injustice.”

The BJP chief alleged that at the time of privatisation, power theft in Delhi was 53 percent, which has come down to 13 -15 percent. “This will probably further come down to 3 to 7 percent. The companies earned R300 crore annually on preventing 1 percent power theft. There was provision in the privatization agreement that this benefit will be shared with consumers. But the consumers have not been provided any benefit,” he said.