December Power Demand in Delhi Breaks Record, Surpasses 5,000 MW for First Time
Delhi has seen a massive increase in its power demand this winter season. This has pushed the peak to a new high of 5,213 MW in December 2023. It has been the highest-ever demand for the month and has also broken the previous records witnessed in the years 2022 and 2023. The power demand touched this new peak at 10:50 AM on Tuesday, as against the demand of 5,046 MW on Monday, said officials from the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC).
Demand is already at an all-time peak, even greater than the 4,884 MW last December and 4,964 MW in 2022. The main reason behind this peak is the drastically falling temperatures in the capital that have seen an increase in the consumption of electricity in an effort to heat up homes and other buildings.
Record Winter Power Demand
The peak power demand of Delhi has increased steadily with the city breaking records in summer as well as winter seasons. For the first time, demand has crossed the major milestone of 5,000 MW during this December and this reflects a persistent upward trend during the winter months.
The demand is forecast to increase during the winter season and peak at 6,300 MW by the end of the season. It would be an increment compared to previous years and indicate a rise in total energy needed in the city.
The peak time of power demand in Delhi comes during the summer season, but the winter increase is almost the same as what had happened previously in the summer season. This winter season was seen at the highest ever mark in 2023, which touched a new high of 8,656 MW. With such a rise, officials were worried about both the seasons of high energy requirement.
Green Energy to meet the Increasing Demand
According to officials, green energy sources will also be used in quite a big way to cater to the power requirement of the capital. A representative of BSES (Bharat Solar Energy Services) said renewable energy will comprise up to 53% of more than 3,900 MW peak power demand in areas covered by BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL).
Many of these companies distributing power portions in Delhi increase their usage of solar and renewable energy sources just to try keeping up with an increasing demand level. The addition of green energies is one critical step that helps the city realize its goals concerning sustainability while ending reliance on fossil fuel.
BSES is also using AI and ML-based tools to further enhance power reliability and efficiency. These technologies are used for accurate forecasting, enabling power suppliers to predict demand better and make the necessary adjustments to ensure an uninterrupted power supply.
Managing Winter Power Demand
In the last few years, the peak winter demand for the capital has increased, leaving the capital’s electricity grid at a higher tension to supply more power during winter. This season, BSES has been successful in meeting their peak demand at 2,194 MW and 1,038 MW in its respective areas, thus showing capability to handle enormous loads during this season.
Going forward, the power demand in the BRPL and BYPL areas is going to increase further. The officials have said that it is going to be well above 2,600 MW in BRPL areas and 1,240 MW in BYPL areas as the temperatures are low, and the population is now heavily reliant on electricity for heating purposes.
Delhitouched the peak power demand during winters at 5,816 MW on 22 January in the year 2022. This increased demand is due to a colder winter than usual and an increasingly populous and industrializing city, thereby putting ever more pressure on power infrastructure in the capital.
Future Outlook and Preparedness
The power demand in Delhi will keep on rising with the advent of winter season. Energy consumption patterns are changing because of increasing urbanization, industrial activity, and population growth in the city. Power distribution companies of Delhi are competing to be at par with this increasing demand through advanced forecasting systems, reliance on renewable energy sources, and development of power infrastructure for assured supply.
In the long term, energy planners in Delhi would have to focus on enhancing the power supply infrastructure, boost green initiatives, and gradually cut fossil fuels consumption so that the power supply could meet the requirements of a thriving metropolis.
The record December power demand by the city reflects the tough battle ahead in handling its energy requirement in such freezing conditions. However, Delhi will soon overcome these energy demands and find electricity supplies when the time arrives to harness artificial intelligence tools for a large use of renewable energy along with prudent planning.
Source: Discom Officials, December 2023