Power demand in CESC area jumps 11 per cent in a month

The power demand in the CESC distribution area has jumped by 11 per cent in just 30 days due to soaring temprature. "The demand for power has crossed 1900 MW mark from 1700 MW a month ago," a CESC spokesperson said. CESC officials said that in a single month, an estimated 40,000 air-conditioners have been sold in the distribution area and this is one of the major reasons why there was a sudden rise in the demand for electricity.

CESC officials said generation was over 100 per cent of their capacity and touched 1,241 MW compared to installed capcity of 1225 MW.

 

CESC was able to meet the demand, but was grappling to maintain steady supply of electricity without tripping.

CESC area manager (south) Kanak Dutta said he was receiving several complains of low voltage in certain pockets of his area.

"We are trying to install new transformers but getting a piece of land remains to be a challenge and without them there is very little we can do to maintain proper voltage," he said. CESC executive director Dilip Sen said unauthorised installation of air-conditioners was key culprit for low voltage. "Last year, we had installed 350 transformers and this year we may have to increase the number," he said. To meet the sudden leap in power demand for the city, the state utility was supplying nearly 750 MW against normal supply 450-500 MW to CESC. This has resulted in power cuts in the rural parts of Bengal when temprature had turned unbearable to around 45 degrees Celcius.

However, the West Bengal Power Distribution Company has maintained that there was no power cut.