Weather pushes up power demand in UP

The power demand in Uttar Pradesh (UP) has shot through the roof owing to the prevailing sultry weather conditions.

UP has been witnessing a dry spell over the last couple of days, with only sporadic rainfall. This has sent the humidity levels soaring with mercury rising above 35 degrees Celsius.

Consequently, UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has been supplying in the range of 10,500 Mw on a daily basis due to high demand.

"There has been high power demand in the last few days as rainfall has been minimal in the state. We resort to rostering to meet the high power demand, vis-à-vis supply," UPPCL director distribution S Prasad told Business Standard.

On Tuesday, UPPCL had supplied 10,453 Mw of power. Of this, the power utility had generated 2,539 Mw from its power stations, including 311 Mw from Obra, 1,193 Mw from Anpara, 72 Mw from Panki, 357 Mw from Harduaganj and 606 Mw from Parichha. Besides, 189 Mw of hydel-electricty was also wheeled into the grid.

UPPCL imported 5,592 Mw from central sector, while 50 Mw from co-generation, 997 MwW from Roja, 284 Mw from Bajaj Energy and 802 Mw from Lanco were also imported.

The power rates in UP was revised by over 30 per cent last month and UPPCL expects to garner additional revenues to the tune of Rs 200 crore per month.

The state power utility has been suffering heavy losses, with accumulated value of Rs 25,000 crore.

UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) had on May 31 approved the new power tariff structure effecting over 30 per cent rise in the monthly power bills for the domestic, commercial and rural consumers.