In a significant development, the power demand in Mumbai surged to an unprecedented peak of 35.00 MW on Tuesday, marking the highest demand recorded thus far this year.
Simultaneously, across Maharashtra, the peak demand surpassed 28.00 MW, a notable milestone achieved for the second time in less than a week, with the previous instance occurring on March 22. Sources within the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) revealed that to meet the heightened demand, the company procured an additional 10.000 MW of power from the exchange at prevailing market rates. Additionally, power generation from thermal plants across the state contributed significantly, surpassing 7.300 MW on Tuesday.
Experts underscored the considerable challenges posed by such substantial power demand surges, particularly for power utilities tasked with ensuring uninterrupted supply to approximately 50 lakh consumers in Mumbai alone. The need to sustain reliable power supply amidst surging demand remains a top priority for utilities, necessitating proactive measures to mitigate potential supply disruptions. The surge in power demand underscores the critical importance of robust infrastructure and strategic planning within the power sector to effectively manage and respond to fluctuating demand patterns. As utilities navigate the complexities of meeting heightened demand, concerted efforts to enhance infrastructure capacity and diversify energy sources will be crucial in ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience in power supply.