Delhi Sets Record With 8,600MW Power Demand During Severe Heatwave

Delhi's peak power demand on Tuesday afternoon was recorded at a record 8,647 megawatts (MW) amid a suffocating heatwave that has kept temperatures locked several degrees above normal for days.

Tuesday afternoon's demand, documented at 3:22 PM, eclipsed the previous high of 8,302 MW on May 29 this year, as indicated by Delhi's State Load Despatch Centre (SLDC), with numbers well beyond the authorities' estimates in the run-up to summer, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Delhi Sets Record With 8,600MW Power Demand

The Capital's power demand first crossed the 8,000 MW mark on May 22. It was noted that it was the 30th consecutive day that Delhi's peak power demand exceeded 7,000 MW - the longest such streak for the Capital, according to discom data. The national capital has been ensnared in its third heatwave spell this summer, with the current streak going back 10 days to June 9.

During this time, Delhi's night temperatures have also soared far beyond normal, with six consecutive "warm nights" - the longest such spell in 12 years. It was mentioned by a discom official that these were unprecedented highs, with Delhi's power demand record before 2024 being 7,695 MW on June 29, 2022, as reported by Hindustan Times.

It had been estimated by discoms in April that the city's peak demand would touch around 8,200 MW this summer, a prediction that has now been surpassed.

"Tuesday marked the 30th day in a row that Delhi's peak power demand crossed 7,000 MW. Despite this, the power distribution network in Delhi has been able to cope with such a high demand," said an official. It was stated by a spokesperson that BSES subsidiaries BRPL and BYPL, which supply electricity to parts of south, west, east, and central Delhi, met peak demands of 3,750 MW and 1,858 MW, respectively, on Tuesday.

Tata Power DDL (TPDDL), which supplies power to north and northwest Delhi, successfully met its highest-ever peak power demand of 2,446 MW around the same time, as confirmed by a TPDDL spokesperson, as per media reports. It was added by the spokesperson that "The company has made adequate arrangements via long-term and short-term measures and will ensure seamless electricity supply amid the ongoing severe heatwave in Delhi."

Power Purchase Agreements and Predictive Technology

Delhi's discoms have secured over 40 power purchase agreements (PPA) with various plants to source electricity for the capital. PPAs are long-term supply agreements typically established between an electricity producer and a distributor or discom.

The discoms also leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning models to predict loads accurately, enabling Delhi to anticipate and manage potential demand spikes, as reported by Hindustan Times. They rely on forecasts from the Meteorological Department, current temperature data, existing demand, and factors such as whether a particular day is a holiday or a working day.

Public Advisory and Energy Conservation

Delhi Transco Limited (DTL), which manages the high-transmission wire network and supplies power to distribution companies, reported that this peak power demand is 16% higher than last year's peak of 7,438 MW on August 22.

"For the safety and reliability of Delhi's power system, the general public is urged to switch off non-essential loads like lights, electrical appliances, or signboards during peak-load hours from 2-4 PM and 10 PM to 12:30 AM," said a spokesperson, reported by Hindustan Times.

"Additionally, it is advised to set air conditioners to 26-27°C during peak hours to conserve energy and manage peak demand, ensuring the overall safety and reliability of the power system," the spokesperson added. By following these measures, Delhi can maintain the integrity of its power infrastructure and ensure a reliable electricity supply during these challenging heatwave conditions.