Power demand in city season’s highest

Amid an intense heatwave, power demand of the national capital surged to the season’s highest so far to 5,464 MW on Tuesday night. Delhi’s peak power demand also crossed last year’s peak on any given day.

Accurate demand (load) forecasting is critical for reliable power supply. It is done on various parameters like — day-ahead in 96 time-slots, intra-day basis and medium term (from a fortnight to one year).

Among other aspects, weather parameters like temperature, rainfall, cloud coverage, wind speed, wind direction and humidity play an important role in accurate demand forecast. Even holidays and random disturbances have an impact on the power demand.

Pushed by the sweltering heat and resumption of commercial and industrial activities, Delhi’s peak power demand has also increased by over 32 per cent since easing of lockdown restrictions on May 18.

As per Delhi’s State Load Dispatch Centre figures, the peak power demand of the city was recorded at 5,464 MW at 11.20 pm on Tuesday.

This is the third consecutive day when Delhi’s peak power demand pipped last year’s peak on corresponding days. Delhi’s peak power demand clocked 5,464 MW on Tuesday night, the season’s highest. It is marginally more than the peak power demand (5,236 MW) recorded on May 26, 2019. On May 24 and 25, at 5,286 MW, and 5,385 MW, respectively, Delhi’s peak power demand was higher than last year’s peak power demand of 5094 MW and 5,107 MW on corresponding days.

The BSES discoms BRPL and BYPL successfully met the peak power demand of 2,542 MW and 1,174 MW respectively with overall demand peaking at 5,464 MW on Tuesday night, said a BSES spokesperson. The other discom Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) too met successfully met peak demand 1,556 MW in its distribution areas.

Delhi recorded the hottest day in May in the last 18 years on Tuesday, with the maximum temperature at the Safdarjung Observatory rising to 46 degrees Celsius. The maximum temperature is expected to again hover around 46 degrees Celsius in the next few days.

“Soaring temperature and heat wave are the main reasons behind the spurt in demand. The peak demand in TPDDL areas is expected to touch 1930 MW in the coming days,” said the TPDDL spokesperson. The discom has made adequate arrangements of up to 2500 MW of power to manage the growing demand, he added.