Persistent heatwave drove the national Capital’s peak power demand on Tuesday afternoon to 8,647 MW, the highest ever for the city. The previous highest peak power demand of Delhi was 8,302 MW on May 29 this year. Delhi’s peak power demand reached 8,000 MW for the first time on May 22, 2024. Notably, the peak power demand has been pushed over 8,000 MW eight times since May 22 and the national capital’s peak demand is hovering over 7000 megawtt for the past 30 days.

According to the State Load Dispatch Centre data, at 3.22 PM on Tuesday, Delhi’s peak power demand clocked 8,647 MW. It is the highest ever in the history of the national capital.

Meanwhile, a power outage caused on Tuesday’s afternoon due to a fire incident at 400 KV Mandola Grid Sub Station left the public gasping for breath in the scorching afternoon sun.

The cooling load due to the increased use of air conditioners and coolers amid the relentless heat wave has led to a record rise in power demand in the national capital. Since May 22, Delhi’s peak power demand has crossed 8,000 MW eight times so far, discom officials said.

“The power demand can be attributed to weather conditions that led residents to use more air conditioning and cooling appliances, pushing electricity consumption. It is estimated that air conditioning can contribute to 30-50 per cent of domestic and commercial power consumption,” said a discom official.

The peak power demand last year in 2023 was 7,438 MW on August 22 which reveals the effect of hot summers on Delhiites this year.    Heatwaves have become a recurring nightmare for Delhi residents.

With temperatures consistently exceeding 45 degrees Celsius, air conditioners are running non-stop, leading to a surge in electricity consumption. Homes, offices, and commercial establishments are all contributing to the record-breaking demand.

“BRPL and BYPL successfully met the peak power demand in their respective areas. Peak power demand in BRPL’ area of South and West Delhi, which had clocked  3250 MW and 3389  MW during the summers of 2023 and 2022 respectively, is expected to reach around 3680 MW during the summers of 2024.

On the other hand, in BYPL’ area of East and Central Delhi, the peak power demand, which had reached 1670 MW and 1752 MW during the summers of 2023 and 2022 respectively, is expected to touch around 1860 MW this year,” BSES spokesperson said.

BSES spokesperson said that BSES is currently providing electricity supply to 50 lakh consumers and 2 crore residents in South, West, East and Central Delhi. On the peak demand, Spokesperson of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL), said Tata power DDL has successfully met highest peak power demand of 2446 MW in its area. “The company has made adequate arrangements via long term and short term measures and will ensure seamless electricity supply amid severe heatwave in Delhi. The Tata Power DDL team is working round the clock to ensure uninterrupted power supply in its area of  operation of North and Northwest Delhi,” Tata Power DDL said.

Usually, Delhi’s peak power demand occurs in late June or early July, except for last year when it peaked in August. However, this year the trend changed due to weather conditions that increased the use of air conditioners and coolers, boosting electricity consumption.