Delhi's Power Demand Breaches 7,000 MW-Mark In May, Likely To Touch All-Time High This Summer. Know Why

It is to be noted that the capital’s peak power demand has crossed 6,000 MW for 15th time in 20 days of May

New Delhi:  Delhiites are facing extreme summer heat this year due to which the peak power demand has risen to 7,070 MW, the highest ever in May. This is only the fourth year in Delhi’s history when the power demand has breached the 7,000 MW-mark, according to a discom official, reported news agency PTI.

On Thursday, the power demand surged to 7,070 at 11.24 PM, according to the state load dispatch centre data. The peak power demand in Delhi crossed the 7,000 MW-mark for the first time in 2018 (July 10). At that time the power demand touched 7,016 MW, as per the report. On July 2,  2019, the power consumtion had breached the mark to record 7,409 MW, the highest ever in Delhi's history, said officials.

In 2020, it did not cross the 7,000 MW and peaked to touch 6314 MW. In 2021 (July 2), the city’s highest power demand recorded was 7,323 MW. It is expected that the power demand due to extreme heat this year may breach 8,200 MW this year, added officials, reported the news agency.

In fact, the peak power demand at dicoms BRPL and BYPL was also the highest ever in May, which was successfully met, said a BSES spokesperson. Delhi’s peak power demand has increased by 10 percent since May 1, officials said.

The peak power demand in the national capital increased by over 58 percent, discom officials said. It is to be noted that the capital’s peak power demand has crossed 6,000 MW for 15 times in 20 days in May, added officials.

Power demand in Delhi during the same month had not once crossed the 6,000 MW in 2021 and 2020.

In 2019, it had crossed the 6,000-MW mark only on three occasions – May 29 (6020 MW), May 30 (6240 MW) and May 31 (6461 MW), officials said.

What’s the major reason of peak in power demand?

The main reason behind Delhi’s peak power demand is the cooling load . Infact, according to estimates, almost around 50 percent of Delhi’s power demand in summers is because of the cooling load of airconditioners, coolers and fans.

The strength of the network is critical to ensure reliable power supply. BSES discoms have ramped-up the network capacity by deploying both conventional and innovative solutions, said BSES spokesperson.

To ensure uninterrupted power supply, the BSES discoms have taken various steps including preventive maintenance, online load monitoring, teams for monitoring complaints, deployment of mobile transformers, quick response teams, he added.