Tata Power-DDL Successfully Meets Peak Power Demand amid Delhi Touches Season’s Record High

Amidst Delhi touched season’s high of 5,268 MW peak power demand due to the ongoing heatwave, Tata Power Delhi Distribution Ltd (Tata Power-DDL), the distribution arm of Tata Power and Delhi Government, has successfully met the peak power demand of approx. 1.5 GW (or 1,493 MW) on Sunday night without any network constraint and power outage.

Commenting on the development, Ganesh Srinivasan, CEO, Tata Power-DDL, said that “this summer season, Delhi is expected to witness an increase in demand with each passing day as everyone accustoms to the new normal and returns back to routine.”

He further added, “we have made adequate arrangements of power of up to 2500 MW along with contingency planning, through long-term tie-ups, bilateral imports & power banking arrangements with other states and upgraded network to ensure regular supply in our area of distribution.”

This is significant as from last two months amidst lockdown due to Covid-19, the commercial and industrial (C&I) establishments and offices were closed which resulted in a sharp decline in the overall power demand.

However, with relaxations in lockdown, there are signs of the revival of activities and the peak power demand in Delhi is expected to touch the last year’s peak of 7,409 MW by July 2020, the company said in a statement.

Tata Power-DDL successfully met a peak demand of 2,069 MW last year in the month of July.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi likely to witness a severe heatwave over the next few days and the temperature will continue to soar in the range of 45-47 degrees.

Also, the IMD has already declared a Red Alert for Delhi so that the service providers and the government agencies can plan the things in advance for the overall public good.

Meanwhile, the company said that it has adequately prepared for the summer season even during the lockdown by strengthening its power network and conducting preventive maintenance and condition-based maintenance of all critical electrical installations.

Recently, the peak power demand in Delhi reduced by up to 49 percent with C&I activities virtually at a standstill due to the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of Covid-19, Discoms and power department officials have said. According to official data, the peak power demand during the day has reduced by 40-50 percent, while the peak electricity demand during the night has reduced by around 20-30 percent.