Hyderabad: The rising temperatures have led to sharp uptick in Telangana’s power consumption —45% of which is being recorded by Greater Hyderabad alone. According to official records of the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL), the state’s current average demand stands at 10,000 MW (approx) per day. Of this, Greater Hyderabad’s consumption is about 4,300 MW — highest across all districts — which is expected to rise to 5,500 MW over the next few weeks, given predictions of a further rise in mercury levels.Currently, Telangana’s average temperature is hovering between 43 degrees Celsius and 46 degrees Celsius, with at least seven districts under ‘red alert’. This is likely to cross 46 degrees Celsius in the next few days. Greater Hyderabad too is expected to get hotter with temperatures soaring from 42.5 degrees Celsius to 44 degrees Celcius soon, say weather experts.Apart from the summer heat, discom sources said that the LPG crisis — which has prompted an increase in use of electric appliances — and growing sale of electric vehicles are also contributing to this rise in power demand in the city.Until now, the city recorded its highest power demand on April 17, when it consumed 4,683 MW of energy. The previous highest figure was 4,352 MW in May last year. .Within Greater Hyderabad, discom officials said, 25% of the power is supplied to the cyber city circle that runs through the city’s tech corridor covering Gachibowli, Kondapur, Madhapur, Kokapet etc and is densely populated with IT towers, offices, and gated communities. Rajendranagar and Medchal circles of TGSPDCL too are high power consumers — about 30% collectively . Reason: The presence of industries along with growing residential ventures.“With new colonies and communities coming up and the city expanding — like the Future City — Greater Hyderabad’s consumption could touch 1,000 MW or more by the next year itself,” said a senior official from the energy department. He reiterated how along with an increased use of air-conditioners, about 200 MW to 300 MW of power is now additionally being used for electrical appliances and EVs.Prepared to handle loadAmid the growing demand, N Narasimhulu, director (operations), TGSPDCL said the discom is prepared to handle a demand of even 5,500 MW in the city. “About 5,000 distribution transformers have been kept ready in case there is any overload on the existing transformers and they need immediate replacement,” he said. Also, with Greater Hyderabad, 500 kVA capacity distribution transformers that were carrying more than 70% of the power load have been replaced with 1,000 MVA transformers and 33/11 kv substations, especially within the city, have been equipped 16 MVA high-capacity power transformers to meet the power requirements even if there is a sudden rise in the demand, he added.However, the state’s overall demand, officials said, has dropped with harvesting season drawing to a close.“During the Rabi season between Dec and March, the state recorded 11,300 MW of power demand in the southern discom. But after the season ended last month, the average demand has dipped to 9,000 MW to 10,000 MW,” said another official.
