Telangana Power System Withstands 7,000 MW ‘El Niño’ Shock, No Power Cuts: Bhatti
Peak demand hits 16,500 MW amid hydel shortfall; uninterrupted supply ensured through planning and reforms
The power sector in Telangana has successfully withstood an additional burden of nearly 7,000 MW triggered by the adverse impact of El Niño, Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Bhatti Vikramarka said on Wednesday.
Reviewing the performance of the power sector at the Northern Power Distribution Company Limited (NPDCL) headquarters in Hanumakonda, he said the state managed an unprecedented surge in demand during the monsoon season. The peak demand, which hovers around 11,000 MW during this period, shot up to 16,500 MW, resembling summer levels.
At the same time, nearly 2,000 MW of hydel power generation was unavailable due to poor water availability in irrigation projects. Despite these challenges, the power utilities ensured uninterrupted supply across the state through advance planning and round-the-clock efforts by staff, he said.
The Deputy Chief Minister clarified that there are no “power cuts” in the state, and only temporary disruptions occur during extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains or strong winds that damage lines or poles.
He said the government is taking steps to strengthen discoms by restructuring old high-interest loans and aims to make NPDCL and SPDCL among the best-performing utilities in the country.
Announcing a first-of-its-kind initiative, he said Telangana has introduced “electricity ambulance” services to address emergency power issues. Consumers can dial the toll-free number 1912, where artificial intelligence-based systems will log complaints and alert field teams instantly, enabling quick resolution.
Highlighting welfare measures, he said the government has provided an insurance cover of ₹1.20 crore for line staff in case of accidental deaths on duty, along with safety kits and uniforms.
He added that under the Gruha Jyothi scheme, power bills for up to 200 units are being paid by the government for 5.3 million households. Additionally, ₹14,000 crore is being released annually as subsidy for nearly 3 million agricultural pump sets across the state.
