Power demand up by 900 MW in February in Gujarat

AHMEDABAD: The onset of early summer with mercury soaring to as high as 38.2 degree Celsius in February has resulted in demand for power surging by 900 MW.
The average power demand thus far touched 16,025 MW in February this year in Gujarat against 15,117 MW in the same month last year, according to data by State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC).
This year, energy experts peg demand to grow past 20,000 MW in the coming months due to expected heat wave situation. K K Bajaj, former member, state advisory committee for power sector, said, "Summer impact is visible in the power demand in Gujarat. In May, power requirements are expected to reach 20,000 MW. A majority 75% demand comes from the residential segment and the remaining comes from other sources."
Early summer spikes electricity demand by 900MW this February
Early summer and increased economic activities have resulted in higher electricity demand in the state, with the average demand this February crossing 16,000MW compared to 15,117 MW consumed last year, reveals the state load despatch centre (SLDC) data.
The state is generating more conventional power compared to February 2022 and has also spent Rs 565 crore to buy electricity from the energy exchange in February so far. Experts believe energy demand will increase to 20,000 MW in the coming months due to heatwaves.
Gujarat's average power demand is at 16,025MW so far this February. Jai Prakash Shivhare, MD of Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL), said, "The power demand from the industrial segment has increased rapidly, and the domestic demand is also increasing with rising temperature. The peak demand was 17,924MW on February 19. Industrial segment consumption is around 40%, while residential and commercial segments constitute 40% of demand. The remaining 20% of demand is from the agriculture sector."
K K Bajaj, the former member of the state advisory committee for the power sector, said, "The summer impact is visible in the state's power demand, and our power requirement will reach 20,000MW in May."
A significant change in renewable power generation has been witnessed with the shift in weather conditions. As per data, in January 2023, wind power generation in Gujarat was 1,728MW, which has come down to 986MW in February, while solar power generation increased to 1,186MW in February from 987MW in January. Kunj Shah, chairman of the renewable committee of Assocham Gujarat, said, "The temperature has increased sharply in the past week, and wind power generation has decreased sharply. Solar power generation is increasing accordingly, and we will also see higher thermal power demand in coming months."
According to sources, the state government plans to ensure power availability in summer and is in talks with power producers using imported coal for continuous supply.