TGSPDCL Records Sharp Rise in Power Demand Amid El Niño Conditions

 Hyderabad: The southern discom said it had recorded a peak power demand of 10,839 megawatts on August 12, amid increased electricity consumption caused by El Nino conditions of warm weather and poor rainfall. The demand was 3,623 MW higher than the 7,216 MW recorded on the same day last year.

Power consumption under TGSPDCL limits also rose to 207.30 million units (MU), compared with 147.12 same day last year, registering an increase of 60.18 million units.

Similarly, the Core Urban Region Economy recorded a peak demand of 3,920 MW on August 12, 610 MW over 3,310 MW same day last year. Its power consumption stood at 81.17 MU, up by 15.68 MU from 65.49 MU.

The rise in demand was attributed to inadequate rainfall and higher temperatures, which led to increased dependence on electricity-powered irrigation in rural areas. The use of air-conditioners and cooling appliances in urban areas, along with the expansion of the industrial and IT sectors, also contributed to the growing power requirement.

TGSPDCL chairman and managing director Jitesh V. Patil said that the discom served the increased power demand by further strengthening and enhancing the capacity of the electricity network, reinforcing substations, power transformers and feeders to handle the additional load. He said emergency response teams were available round the clock, and officials were continuous monitoring of the supply in key areas.