Owing to the killing heat, power demand in the national Capital on Monday clocked 6,194 MW, which is the highest-ever in the first week of May. On Monday the maximum temperature of Delhi settled at 40.8 degrees Celsius, two notches warmer than normal for this time of the year. The minimum temperature in the city settled at 27.4 degrees Celsius, three notches above the normal temperature.
According to sources in discoms, the Capital's peak power demand touched 6,194 MW, which is the highest-ever in the first week of May till date. With Delhi experiencing abnormally high temperatures in April this year, the city’s power demand scaled up by 34 per cent since beginning of April. “On six occasions in April this year, Delhi’s peak power demand clocked highest-ever in April, each breaking the previous record in quick succession. On April 19, it was 5,735 MW, 5,761 MW on April 20, 5,781 MW on August 21, 5,786 MW on April 27, 6,050 MW on April 28, and 6,197 on April 29,” sources said.
“Delhi’s peak power demand had breached the 7,000 MW-mark for the first time – peaking at 7,016 MW in 2018. The expected peak power demand of around 8,200 MW is an increase of around 285 per cent over the peak power demand of 2,879 MW in 2002,” sources stated.
On Sunday, Union Power Minister RK Singh, in a letter to Delhi Government, expressed displeasure at alleged misleading of public, a source said. According to Singh's letter, coal stock at the Dadri plant was 202.40 thousand tonnes, which is sufficient for 8.43 days at 85 per cent PLF (plant load factor) on April 29. Similarly, coal stock at Unchahar plant was 97.62 thousand tonnes, sufficient for 4.6 days at 85 per cent PLF or capacity utilisation. Earlier at a review meeting, the Minister directed officials to ensure the required power demand for Delhi. Meanwhile, on Monday, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) data showed that the relative humidity recorded at the Safdarjung observatory at 8:30 A.M. was 61 per cent and 38 per cent at 5:30 P.M.
The weather stations at Ridge, Ayanagar, Mungeshpur, Najafgarh, Pitampura, Palam, and Lodhi Road recorded maximum temperatures of 41.4 degrees Celsius, 40.6 degrees Celsius, 41.7 degrees Celsius, 42.5 degrees Celsius, 41.3 degrees Celsius, 40.6 degrees Celsius and 39.8 degrees Celsius respectively.
The IMD predicted a fall in maximum temperatures by three-four degrees Celsius over most parts of Northwest India during the next three days.
The IMD said that thunderstorms and gusty winds were likely over Northwest India till May 4; over East India and south Peninsular India till May 6, and over Northeast India till May 3.
The mercury came down to 40.5 degrees Celsius on Sunday as easterly winds barrelled through the Capital under the influence of a western disturbance.
"A western disturbance affecting northwest India has pulled the temperatures down by three-four degrees Celsius in the Capital. Another western disturbance is predicted on May 4 and 5," an official said.
The mercury is likely to hover around 40 degrees Celsius in the city till May 6.