Delhi is grappling with an unprecedented demand for electricity as a relentless heat wave continues to scorch the city. On Wednesday afternoon, the capital's peak power demand surged to a record-breaking 8,656 MW, the highest ever recorded. The peak power demand was on Tuesday recorded at 8647 MW, the second highest in this summer season.
This peak power demand was reached at precisely 15:06:55 hours, according to real-time data from the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC) Delhi. The continuous high demand shows the severe impact of the ongoing heatwave, prompting concerns about the stability of the power supply and the need for effective management of the electricity grid to prevent outages.
Delhi experienced the warmest night in 12 years on Tuesday with the minimum temperature settling at 35.2 degrees Celsius, over eight notches above the season's normal, the weather office said. The maximum temperature of the day is expected to be around 44 degrees Celsius on Wednesday.
Power Minister on rising demand of electricity
Meanwhile, the power ministry on Tuesday said it has asked all utilities "to maintain a high state of alert and minimise forced outages of equipment" amid the heatwave pushing electricity demand, especially in the northern region where the Monsoon is yet to arrive. The country's northern region has been experiencing high electricity demand due to a prevailing heatwave since May 17, 2024, the ministry said in a statement.
Despite these challenging conditions, the ministry said, the highest-ever peak demand of 89 GW in the northern region was successfully met on June 17, 2024. It was made possible by importing 25-30 per cent of the region's power requirement from neighbouring regions, it said. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecast, heatwave conditions in North-West India are expected to abate from June 20.
June rainfall 20 per cent below average
India has received 20 per cent less rainfall since the start of the monsoon period on June 1, with the rain-bearing system making no significant progress between June 12 and 18, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). However, conditions are now favourable for further advancement of the monsoon into parts of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, coastal Andhra Pradesh, northwest Bay of Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand over the next three to four days, the weather department said. India received 64.5 mm of rainfall between June 1 and 18 which is 20 per cent less than the long-period average (LPA) of 80.6 mm, it said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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