By ARUN PRATAP SINGH
DEHRADUN, 26 Apr: With the rise in scorching sun and increasing humidity, electricity demand in Uttarakhand has reached an unprecedented high during the current month of April, breaking previous records as daily consumption surpasses 49 million units for the first time in the month. This surge has raised concerns for the energy corporation, as the continuation of rising temperatures could lead to power outages even in urban areas in days to come.
While electricity availability currently remains in proportion to demand, the situation is precarious. Efforts to stabilise supply through electricity procurement from the energy exchange are ongoing, yet power cuts have already commenced in rural regions and steel furnace industries.
Over the past week, electricity demand in Uttarakhand has risen by five to six million units, now nearing the critical threshold of 50 million units per day. The highest recorded demand this April stands at 49.86 million units, marking a two-to-three million unit increase compared to the previous year. In April 2023, peak demand had reached 47 million units, but this year, before the month has ended, the figure has already been surpassed. Experts anticipate that by early May, demand is likely to exceed 50 million units.
It may be recalled that the rural areas and industries bear the brunt of the shortfall, even as the UPCL officials claim that the power supply remains largely stable as of now. However, even a minor fluctuation necessitates load shedding, particularly affecting rural regions and large-scale consumers such as steel furnaces. If temperatures continue to rise, cities too may face scheduled power cuts.
Electricity supply in the state is currently derived from four primary sources: hydroelectric projects generating between 11 and 13 million units, gas plants contributing five to seven million units, central government allocations amounting to 24 to 25 million units, and additional procurement from open markets ranging between six and seven million units.
The expansion of residential infrastructure, industrial units, and the increasing adoption of electric vehicles have further exacerbated power consumption, driving demand higher than ever before. Cities like Dehradun witness a sharp rise in usage of air conditioners and the coolers, compounding the strain on electricity supply. While procurement from the energy exchange has momentarily stabilised the situation, if this trend persists, managing the power grid will become an arduous challenge for the corporation. Analysts speculate that electricity consumption could exceed 60 million units in May and June, setting an all-time record for the state.
Electricity demand in Uttarakhand over recent times has steadily escalated , with supply struggling to match the surge. On April 20, demand stood at 42.80 million units, with supply recorded at 43.70 million units. The following days saw continued increases, with demand reaching 49.90 million units on April 23, slightly exceeding supply, and finally peaking at 49.86 million units on April 24, matching available resources.
