THE energy requirements of the state have increased extensively, surpassing last year’s record electricity consumption by March, even before the onset of summer. On Saturday, Chhattisgarh saw its electricity demand peak at 6308MW, marking the highest demand ever recorded in the state. It’s noteworthy that the previous record, setin September 2023, stood at 6119 MW. All units of Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company are being run at full capacity. To meet the energy requirement of the state, the units of Chhattisgarh Electricity Generation Company are providing support of about 2.5 thousand MW. The remaining demand is being fulfilled by taking electricity from the central pool.

 

As general public’s living standards continue to rise, there’s a growing reliance on various electrical appliances such as air conditioners, water coolers, refrigerators, washing machines, and televisions in households across the state. The popularity of E-vehicles is on the rise. These factors collectively contribute to the increasing demand for power in the region. Furthermore, with the conclusion of sowing for Rabi crops, the usage of pumps for irrigation has also increased in agricultural fields. March experienced unusually higher temperatures, with many districts experiencing levels exceeding 36 degrees Celsius. Consequently, the usage of coolers and air conditioners has commenced, resulting in a sudden spike in electricity demand. Demand for electricity is expected to increase further in April-May.

 

Speaking to the newspaper MD of CSPDCL, Manoj Khare said that the power demand is expected to reach 6,400 to 6,500MW in the months of April and May. The Distribution Company is taking proactive steps to accommodate the increased demand for electricity. They have established power banking arrangements with Punjab and Rajasthan to address this surge in demand. Thus far, the company has effectively managed to fulfill the power requirements, and there have been no instances of load shedding in the state.