Elections and rising summer temperatures push up energy demand in UP

With the first phase of voting on April 11 just a week away, rising mercury levels have pushed up the power demand in Uttar Pradesh by almost 25% over a fortnight.

Compared with power demand of about 12,000 megawatt (Mw) two weeks ago, the energy demand in the state has shot up by 33% to nearly 16,000 Mw at present with state power utility UP Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) issuing a directive to power distribution companies (discoms) for providing uninterrupted power supply across 23 districts in Western UP, which will witness polling in the first three phases.

The UPPCL order followed the