Power consumption, a key barometer of economic activity, is on upswing in Maharashtra underlining that notwithstanding challenges posed by outbreak of epidemic, normalcy has returned to industrial sector. Another way to read the increase in demand for electricity in State is the agriculture sector that also contributes substantially to growth. During last year, the three months straight lockdown impacted industrial sector quite severely, though agriculture being confined to rural landscape managed to hold on.

 

‘The Hitavada’ studied the power demand and talked to officials of State run Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) to understand the phenomena. Power officials said they had expected a peak demand at 23,842 MW in month of March this year based on consumption pattern over last few years. But surprisingly the power demand is already nearing the previous peak of 24,058 MW registered on January 14 at 12 pm this year. Experts said that the State’s power use had touched a new low during the lockdown period as industrial activities came to grinding halt after industrial workers enmass migrated back to their native places depressed by grinding economic activities. Only domestic consumers and agriculture pumps were using power during the period.

 

As the economic activities restarted in the State, the MSEDCL is observing a substantial high demand of power across the State. The peak demand of Maharashtra in 2020 was 24,550 MW on February 19, 2020; 23,613 MW on May 23, 2019, and 23,755 MW on May 18, 2018. In 2021, the MSEDCL had pegged highest peak demand of 23,842 MW by month of March. However growing economic activities and huge consumption of electricity by domestic and agriculture consumers raised demand to 24,058 MW on January 12. Sources said if the growth continues in same graph, then Maharashtra power demand is likely to witness all time high of 25,000 MW in May this year, as by that time summer would be in full force.

 

Last year during the peak demand of 24550 MW, the MSEDCL had provide 8781 MW power through MahaGenco, 7105 MW from private power generation companies, 7484 MW from Central Grid and 1180 MW from Renewable energy sources. Chief PRO of MSEDCL Anil Kamble told ‘The Hitavada’ that the MSEDCL had strengthened its infrastructure for catering to 25,000 MW plus power demand in the State. As the economic activities has restored in the State the power demand is increasing. Despite the huge power demand, there is no load-shedding in any part of the State, he pointed out.