Delhi’s peak power demand touches record high on June 18 amid heatwave conditions

New Delhi: The searing heat in the national capital pushed Delhi’s peak power demand to its highest-ever at 8,647 MW on Tuesday afternoon. Maximum and minimum temperatures touched 44 degrees Celsius and 34 degrees Celsius, respectively, amid heatwave conditions, according to data from the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), Delhi. This new peak surpasses the previous high of 8,302 MW recorded on May 29.

Delhi’s peak power demand first breached the 8,000 MW mark on May 22. Since then, it has crossed 8,000 MW eight times, sources in discoms (distribution companies) said. “The power demand is driven by consistent heatwave conditions, increasing the cooling load from air conditioners and coolers. Air conditioning equipment can contribute 30-50 percent of domestic and commercial consumption,” a source stated.

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a ‘red alert’ for Delhi, warning that the prevailing heatwave conditions are expected to continue. However, the IMD also indicated that some relief might be on the horizon, with rain and thunderstorms expected in the national capital within the next three to four days.

The relentless heatwave has put immense pressure on the city's power infrastructure. In response, the power utilities have been taking measures to ensure the stability of the power supply. Increased power generation, grid management, and importing power from neighboring states are some of the steps being taken to manage the surging demand.

Additionally, residents are being advised to use electricity judiciously and avoid non-essential usage during peak hours to help mitigate the load on the power grid. Energy efficiency initiatives, such as the use of energy-efficient appliances and promoting solar power installations, are being emphasized to help reduce the strain on the power system.