Amidst soaring temperatures, Delhi’s peak power demand reached a seasonal high of 6,780 megawatts (MW) on Thursday. The increase in demand corresponds with the mercury rising above 40 degrees Celsius in the national capital.
According to data from the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), the peak electricity demand was recorded in the late afternoon. This figure surpasses the peak demand of 5,781 MW observed during the first half of May 2023. In April, Delhi’s power demand ranged between 3,809 MW and 5,447 MW, compared to 3,388 MW to 5,422 MW in April 2023. The spike in demand is primarily attributed to the hot and dry weather, which has led to an increased use of air conditioning and desert coolers. Notably, air conditioning can account for 30-50% of a household’s or business’s annual energy expenditure.
Power consumption in Delhi has been on a consistent upward trajectory, mirroring trends seen across India. On January 19, the city’s winter peak power demand hit an all-time high of 5,798 MW. Electricity distribution companies (Discoms) such as Tata Power Delhi Distribution (Tata Power-DDL), BSES Rajdhani Power (BRPL), and BSES Yamuna Power (BYPL) successfully met the escalating demand. Tata Power-DDL, serving around 19 lakh consumers in North Delhi, ensured a peak supply of 1,982 MW on Thursday without any network constraints or outages. BSES, which provides power to approximately 50 lakh consumers across South, West, East, and Central Delhi, has made substantial arrangements, including long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) and banking arrangements with other states, to secure a reliable supply.
“Our power arrangement during this season includes long-term agreements, and our Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) at Rohini and Rani Bagh also provide seamless backup and continuous reliable power, ensuring resilience during the scorching summer peak,” the spokesperson added.
A significant component of this reliability comes from green energy sources. The Discoms have integrated around 2,100 MW of green power, including 840 MW of solar power from SECI, 500 MW of wind power, and 40 MW from waste-to-energy projects. Additionally, over 160 MW of rooftop solar installations in Delhi contribute to this effort. BRPL also plans to procure up to 500 MW through bilateral contracts.
Looking ahead, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasts a gradual rise in maximum temperatures over the next few days, potentially pushing the mercury into the mid-forties. Consequently, Delhi’s power demand is expected to increase further. After reaching a record peak of 7,695 MW in 2022, projections for the summer of 2024 suggest that the capital’s peak power demand could surpass 8,000 MW, possibly hitting up to 8,200 MW. Last summer, the peak demand was 7,438 MW.
This rising demand underscores the critical need for efficient energy management and the importance of integrating renewable energy sources to ensure a stable and sustainable power supply for the city.
