Goa’s peak power demand hits new high of 815 MW

Shoma Patnaik

Panaji

With people in the state switching on fans, air conditioners and coolers to beat the scorching summer heat, Goa’s peak power demand has hit a new high of 815 megawatts (MW) this year.

According to officials in the electricity department, the demand for power was at its highest on April 18 when the weather was sultry before the sudden unseasonal showers.

“The state’s peak power demand is increasing every year. It was 780 MW in 2022,” said Chief Electrical Engineer Stephen Fernandes. He said the state has been meeting the surge in demand this year from the infrastructure created through the two extra high voltage Thivim (63 MW) and Ponda (126 MW) substations as well as by way of purchase of power from the open market.

The demand for power has been increasing in the state due to the rising summer temperatures and economic prosperity of the residents, with several citizens owning air conditioners, electrical gadgets and kitchen appliances, said the chief electrical engineer.

He said the newly created infrastructure such as the Mopa airport is leading to the surge in demand
for power.

Higher consumption of electricity by industries is also contributing to the rise in demand for power in the state, said Fernandes.

Goa’s peak power demand is estimated to touch 1,000 MW by 2030, as per reports.

“There are many consumers in the state who are using more power than the sanctioned load. Residential housing societies end up consuming more electricity than the load specified by the builders. Finding out such consumers is a continuous exercise,” said Fernandes.

The state is awaiting the go-ahead for a proposed tariff hike of 3.5% for 2024-25. The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) has not yet given its approval in view of the ongoing Lok Sabha elections.

As per the petition submitted by the electricity department, the brunt of the proposed hike will be felt by around four lakh low tension domestic consumers in the first two slabs. The petition also proposes higher tariff for low tension commercial establishments, public lighting, hoardings, signboards and electric vehicle charging stations. The petition has suggested time of the day (ToD) tariffs for industries.

Goa does not have its own power generation plant and is dependant on the national grid for its electricity supply. The state government, however, has started generating renewable energy through solar power.