18,548 MW Power Demand Shows State’s Growth: Bhatti
Peak demand had risen from about 15,000 MW in 2023 to 18,548 MW in the current summer season.
HYDERABAD: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday said the state government was strengthening power infrastructure and accelerating a shift towards renewable energy to meet rising electricity demand, while continuing to provide uninterrupted and low-cost supply.
After inaugurating a 33/11 kV substation at Pakabanda in Khammam district, he said the electricity department was using modern technology to deliver improved supply and had managed a recent surge in demand without power cuts.
He said peak demand had risen from about 15,000 MW in 2023 to 18,548 MW in the current summer season, an increase of over 3,500 MW in about two-and-a-half years, which he termed an indicator of economic growth and higher consumption.
“Growing electricity demand is an indicator of the state’s development,” he said, citing increased use of air conditioners, industrial expansion and higher household consumption.
He said projects such as Musi River rejuvenation, Future City, Pharma City, data centres and industrialisation would further increase demand, and asked officials to plan infrastructure accordingly.
The Deputy Chief Minister said the state was moving from conventional fuels to solar energy, with a target of generating 20,000 MW of solar capacity by 2030. He said pilot projects were under way to convert about 85 villages into fully solar-powered units and that efforts were on to achieve full solarisation of agricultural pump sets, with rooftop solar trials initiated in two mandals.
Referring to issues faced by tribal farmers, he said those who received land under the ROFR Act could not cultivate due to lack of electricity. He said the Indira Soura Giri Jala Vikasam Scheme would provide solar-powered irrigation to nearly six lakh acres.
He said the government would continue free power supply to farmers and subsidised electricity to poor households. He said the finance department reimbursed power utilities about ₹1,150 crore per month, or around ₹14,000 crore annually, towards free supply for about 30 lakh agricultural pump sets. He added that around 53 lakh households receive up to 200 units of free power every month.
Rejecting Opposition claims on installation of power meters for farmers, he said, “Free power for farmers is the Congress’ patent right.”
He said the government was also working to reduce transmission and distribution losses to contain costs and was examining the option of a separate “Rythu DISCOM” for the farm sector.
