Hyderabad power demand up 11.9% ahead of Diwali; El Niño heat keeps air-conditioners running | Hyderabad News
Hyderabad: Continued use of air-conditioners due to warmer conditions linked to El Niño have resulted in increased electricity consumption across Telangana ahead of Diwali this year compared with the corresponding festive period last year.Live power demand in the Cyberabad region stood at 3,340 MW around 11.12 am on Nov 7, according to the Telangana Vidyut Shakti app. This was 354 MW, or 11.9%, higher than the 2,986 MW recorded at the corresponding time on Nov 7 last year. Demand was 3,580 MW around the same time on Nov 6, Dhanteras, compared to 3,340 MW at 11.12 am on Nov 7.Daily electricity consumption across Telangana also registered an increase on Dhanteras. The state consumed 261.18 million units (MU) on Nov 6 this year, against 242.41 MU on Dhanteras last year (Oct 18), a rise of 18.77 MU or 7.7%, according to the daily power supply position data published by the Telangana State Load Dispatch Centre (TGSLDC).Ravi Kiran Malkapuram, deputy engineer (technical) to the CMD of TGSPDCL, said the increase was not due to festive lighting alone. “Last year, it was cold around Dhanteras. This year, due to El Niño, temperatures have remained higher, so people are continuing to use air-conditioners. More appliances are running for longer, and that is adding to the load. Festive lighting also contributes to consumption,” he told TOI.He said the addition of new industries and commercial establishments, along with households acquiring more electrical gadgets over time, was also contributing to the year-on-year rise in demand.The IMD’s Nov outlook has forecast above-normal maximum temperatures across most of Telangana, with very strong El Niño conditions expected to persist through Nov and Dec.
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