New Delhi, May 20 (IANS). Amidst the scorching heat and heat wave conditions in many parts of the country, the demand for electricity in India reached a new record level for the third consecutive day on Wednesday. Due to increasing heat, there has been a sharp increase in the use of air conditioners, coolers and other electrical appliances in homes and commercial establishments.
The Union Power Ministry wrote on social media platform X on Wednesday that the maximum power demand during solar power generation reached 265.44 GW at 3:45 pm and this entire demand was met without any power shortage. This figure is higher than the previous record of 260.45 gigawatts recorded on Monday, which was recorded at 3:40 pm. Earlier on May 18, the maximum demand of 257.37 GW was recorded in the country.
The ministry also said that the peak demand for non-solar energy reached a record 247.21 GW at 10:29 pm on May 18, the highest ever.
Officials said that despite rising consumption, the power supply situation in the country remains stable and there is sufficient generation capacity and fuel reserves available to meet summer demand. The Power Ministry said robust arrangements are in place to deal with the surge in seasonal power demand.
Meanwhile, the Coal Ministry said that at present thermal power plants have reserves of 5.09 crore tonnes of coal. Additionally, about 123 million tonnes of coal is available in the mines of Coal India Limited, while an additional 16 million tonnes of coal is available in the company’s own mines. The ministry said that the supply of coal is continuing smoothly with the cooperation of the Railways.
This increase in electricity demand has come at a time when temperatures are expected to remain above normal in many areas. Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh appealed to the people to be alert about heat wave warnings and advised them to take necessary precautions during the summer season.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures are likely to be above normal in many parts of South India, Northeast and North-West India during May. The Meteorological Department said that heat wave conditions may persist in Odisha, Coastal Andhra Pradesh, adjoining areas of Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and parts of Maharashtra and these areas may see two to four days more heatwave than normal.
The IMD further said that temperatures are likely to remain very high over northwest, central and west India as well as parts of the east coast in the second and fourth weeks of May. However, intermittent rain and thunderstorms associated with western disturbances may result in temperatures in some areas remaining normal or even below normal during the month.
–IANS
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