Expects growing power demand, government's renewable push to generate value for investors
Delhi recorded a sizable jump in temperature-related electricity demand in the last 12 months, with peak demand rising by an average of 711 megawatts (MW) on the hottest and most humid days, according to a new analysis published on Friday. The report by the independent think tank Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) said Delhi's peak power demand rose by an average of 506 MW on cold and dry days but only by 188 MW on days when the temperature and humidity were moderate. The analysis used wet-bulb temperature (WBT) as a yardstick. The wet-bulb temperature (WBT) is the lowest temperature to which a person or object can be cooled solely by the evaporation of water. "On moderate days (17.5 degrees Celsius WBT), Delhi's peak demand grew by a modest 188 megawatts (MW), but on the hottest and most humid days (using 32.5 degrees Celsius WBT as a criterion), the annual increase was 3.8 times higher at 711 MW," the report said. At the other end of the temperature sca
India has ramped up electricity generation in recent months as a strong economy and an ongoing heatwave boost demand for power
Thermal plant load factor or capacity utilisation is expected to remain healthy at 70 per cent in FY2025 on power demand growth of 6 per cent, ICRA said on Thursday. ICRA's outlook for the thermal power segment is "Stable", following the improvement in the thermal plant load factor (PLF) and healthy demand growth, thereby improving visibility on signing of new power purchase agreements (PPAs), an ICRA statement said. Also, it stated that the implementation of the Late Payment Surcharge (LPS) scheme enabled an improvement in payment discipline from state distribution utilities (discoms) to power generation companies from August 2022. However, it stated that ICRA's outlook for the power distribution segment remains "Negative" amid limited tariff hikes and continued loss-making operations. According to the statement, ICRA projects the all-India thermal PLF level to rise marginally to 70 per cent in FY2025, from 69 per cent in FY2024, led by the growth in electricity demand and limited
Unprecedented heatwave spells in the national capital and adjoining regions are pushing the power infrastructure to their edges
"Despite challenging conditions, the highest-ever peak demand of 89 Gw in the Northern Region was successfully met on June 17, 2024," the ministry said
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This year, by June 12, the national capital has reported over 339 cases of fires
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Peak power demand bounced back to nearly 241 GW on Tuesday after sliding for two straight days from the 245 GW level recorded on the first day of this month. The government data showed that the peak power demand touched an all-time high of 250 GW on May 31, 2024, breaking the previous record of 243.27 GW in September 2023. According to the data, the peak power demand met or the highest supply in a day was recorded at 245.14 GW on June 1, 225.90 GW on June 2, 236.37 GW on June 3 and 240.89 GW on June 4. Earlier in May, the power ministry projected a peak power demand of 235 GW during daytime and 225 GW during evening hours for May and 240 GW during daytime and 235 GW during evening hours for June 2024. The ministry has also projected that peak power demand may hit the 260 GW mark during this summer season. The experts are of the view that peak power demand, as well as consumption, would be steady during June as there would be continuous requirements for cooling appliances like cool
Despite continuous power purchase, difference in the demand-supply remains
Sweltering heatwave in north India that have caused scores of deaths, floods and landslides in the northeast that have affected lakhs of people, a spring season that suggests it could soon "disappear" from the calendar extreme weather events in the first five months of 2024 have got everyone questioning: where is all this headed? Despite having made predictions to this effect, climate scientists acknowledge that the temperatures this summer, including the outlier 52.9 degrees Celsius in Delhi, are "alarming, though not surprising". "This could be the worst summer in the last 120 years, at least for north India. Never have temperatures gone so high more than 45-47 degrees Celsius for such a vast region, which is also densely populated. This is a record in itself," Vimal Mishra, Vikram Sarabhai Chair Professor, Civil Engineering and Earth Sciences, IIT Gandhinagar, told PTI. The temperatures, "similar to those in Africa's Sahara desert," are "far beyond expectations" by at least ..
The power discoms operating in Delhi are relying on their advanced-technology transformers to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity, with the peak demand ranging around 8,000 MW amid a scorching heatwave in the city. The transformers used by the BSES are designed to operate at 40 degrees above the ambient (area) temperature, said a spokesperson of the company. "This basically means that the transformers can operate at up to 40 degrees more than the prevalent area temperature. For example, if the area temperature is 48 degrees Celsius, these can operate till 88 degrees Celsius without any external aid," he said. The BSES discoms (distribution companies) -- BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL) -- supply electricity to most parts of the city except North Delhi. "Due to the modern design and technology, there is no need for any external aid like a fan to cool the transformer," the BSES spokesperson said. Transformers getting overheated and bu
While China may still see lower demand compared with its record breaking shipments in 2021, demand from India and the rest of Asia has compensated for any drop-off, an expert said
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During the current year, May has witnessed several power demand records
India's peak power demand hit the season's new high of 239.96 GW on Friday, due to soaring mercury levels in various parts of the country, which compelled excessive use of cooling appliances like air conditioners and coolers. As per power ministry data, the peak power demand met or the highest supply in the day, was recorded at 239.96 GW on Friday, which is the maximum so far in the summer season this year. On Thursday, it was 236.59 GW, while on Wednesday, the peak power demand was at 235.06 GW, as per power ministry data. The all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023. The record is expected to be broken during this summer season. Earlier this month, the power ministry projected a peak power demand of 235 GW during daytime and 225 GW during evening hours for May and 240 GW during daytime and 235 GW during evening hours for June 2024. Industry experts are of the view that power demand is already around 240 GW level in May, which was projected for
India's peak power demand hit the season's high of 235.06 GW on Wednesday mainly due to excessive use of cooling appliances like air conditioners and coolers amid severe heat waves in most parts of the country. According to the power ministry data, the peak power demand met or the highest supply in the day is recorded at 235.06 GW on Wednesday, which is the maximum so far in the summer season this year. The all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023. The record is expected to be broken during this summer season. Earlier this month, the power ministry projected a peak power demand of 235 GW during daytime and 225 GW during evening hours for May and 240 GW during daytime and 235 GW during evening hours for June 2024. Besides the power ministry has also projected that peak power demand can hit the 260GW mark during this summer season. The data shows peak power demand was 224.18GW in April 2024, when the country witnessed the onset of the summer season
Delhi's peak power demand reached an all-time high of 7,717 MW on Tuesday afternoon amid intense summer heat, Discom officials said. According to the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), Delhi, real-time data, the peak demand of the city broke all previous records. It reached 7,717 MW at 3.33 pm, they said. Delhi's previous all-time high peak power demand was recorded at 7,695 MW on June 29, 2022, officials said. The national capital is reeling under intense heat with a steady temperature rise. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted heat wave conditions in many parts of Delhi and severe heatwave conditions in some areas. It has also issued a red alert for the next four days. According to the seven-day forecast, the maximum temperature will be in the range of 44 to 47 degrees Celsius. The minimum temperature on Tuesday settled at 30.7 degrees Celsius, four notches above normal, according to the IMD. The maximum temperature of the day is expected to be around 45 deg