Electricity consumption in the state hit an all-time high of 233.98 MU on April 2, and the average consumption for nine days in April 2021 was 224 MU, compared to 189 MU for the same period last year.
As consumption increases, utilities are taking steps to ensure uninterrupted supply around the clock and meet growing demand while watching out for the spread of COVID-19.
Focus areas
The government has ordered that electricity supply to the household and agricultural sectors, as well as healthcare and other essential services, be given priority, according to official information.
Since then, the energy suppliers have drawn up an action plan with various interest groups following consultations with Energy Minister N. Srikant.
Discoms and field engineer CMDs have been instructed to continuously monitor supplies to the agricultural, household and industrial sectors.
Demand increased significantly in March 2021 compared to previous years.
Demand in March 2021 was 6,605 MU compared to 4,817 MU in 2015-16. Similarly, the peak demand in March 2015/16 was 7,391 MW, which exceeded 11,193 MW in the period 2020-21. The demand is expected to exceed 64,000 MU this year.
The utilities, who had implemented high-level cost-optimization measures, were able to save around £ 1,023 billion in electricity purchases by December 2020. This has been recognized by the Union’s Ministry of Energy.
Efforts are being made to adopt global best practices in this sector and achieve better results.