Telangana Power Demand Hits All Time High of 19,543 MW
Telangana recorded its highest ever power demand at 19,543 MW this week, as rising temperatures, weak rainfall and increased agricultural consumption pushed electricity use sharply higher.
Hyderabad: Telangana is dealing with an unusual rise in electricity demand, with the states power system recording its highest peak ever during the current monsoon season.
The demand touched 19,543 MW on Wednesday, September 9. According to power sector officials, this is the highest peak recorded in the history of Telangana and the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh.
The number stayed close to the record over the following two days. Demand stood at 19,467 MW on Thursday before coming down to 18,954 MW on Friday.
What makes the latest figures notable is the time of the year. April and May usually bring the biggest demand because of intense summer heat. This year, however, September has started looking much like the summer months.
Rainfall has not been as expected in several parts of the state, while temperatures have remained high. The resulting heat has increased the use of cooling equipment in homes and businesses. At the same time, electricity requirements from the agriculture sector have added to the load.
The change has been particularly sharp in recent days. Until about a week ago, the states peak demand was below 18,000 MW. It then climbed rapidly and reached 19,543 MW on September 9, almost 1,000 MW above the earlier peak level.
Telangana is also having to rely heavily on power purchased from outside the state. Daily electricity consumption is currently around 310 million units, while generation within the state does not fully cover the requirement.
Telangana Generation Corporation is supplying roughly 90 million units a day. To bridge the gap, around 140 million units are being procured through Central Generating Stations and other sources.
The situation is not unique to Telangana. Electricity demand has been climbing across the country as well. Officials in the power sector have pointed to a significant increase in national demand, estimated at nearly 100 GW.
The latest surge has also raised concerns about the coming summer. If electricity consumption continues to grow at this pace, the state will need stronger arrangements to keep supply steady.
Power sector experts have suggested increasing generation capacity and strengthening transmission and distribution networks before the next summer arrives. Better preparation would also reduce the pressure created by heavy dependence on purchased power.
For now, the 19,543 MW figure remains a major milestone for Telangana. The record also shows how weather conditions and agricultural requirements can quickly change the states electricity needs, even outside the usual summer season.
