Several parts of the country have started to see temperatures exceed the 40 degrees Celsius mark over the past few days, which has gradually started pushing India's peak power demand.
From an 182.6 GW demand on Holi (March 25), India's power demand on March 28 was recorded at 215.3 GW. The peak shortage or the demand that could not be met on March 28 was 353 MW.
Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra have seen temperatures cross the 40 degrees over the past few days. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on March 28 warned of a heatwave over these states for the next two days.
The IMD also predicted El Nino conditions to persist for most of this period, which could result in a higher number of heatwave days this year.
The government is anticipating a peak power demand of 256.53 GW (256,530 MW) in the coming months. On March 4, Central Electricity Authority (CEA) chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad said that the peak power demand this year may hit the 260 GW mark.
The CEA had projected a peak power demand of 230 GW for 2023 but the demand crossed an unprecedented 240 GW mark. The unusual surge in demand also resulted in an alarming spike in the country's power shortage recorded at 10.745 GW (10,745 MW) on the same day (September 1).
Sufficient coal stocks
According to CEA data, coal stocks at domestic thermal power plants till March 27 stood at 46.7 MT, which is sufficient for about 20 days.
Tracking coal availability for the power sector is important because, despite increased penetration of renewable energy generation, coal remains the predominant source in India, contributing over 70 percent of the total power generation. For example, on March 28, coal-fired power plants contributed 77 percent to India's energy mix, while renewable energy contributed only 11 percent. Hydropower's share was 6 percent, nuclear was 3 percent, and gas-based and lignite-based plants contributed 2 percent each.
The share of renewable energy (RE) has remained low because RE with storage has not yet taken off in a big way due to the higher costs involved, and India aims to keep electricity rates affordable and accessible.
For FY25, the power ministry has requested 874 MT of coal, which the coal ministry will be able to meet, according to Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary, Ministry of Coal.
Mumbai's power cut was due to a technical snag
Pockets in south Mumbai plunged into darkness for about 20 minutes on March 28 night due to a power failure. Localities such as Mahapalika Marg, Marine Lines and Crawford Market experienced an electricity outage due to power tripping at about 8.35 pm, officials said.
Power discom Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), the snag was triggered by a tripping in a supply line. "A 33 Kilovolt feeder from Tata Power’s Carnac Bunder facility, which comes to the GT Hospital receiving station operated by it tripped, resulting in the electricity outage," a BEST spokesperson said.
The power supply was fully restored after 9:05 pm.
Tata Power said the electricity supply was affected due to a 33KV cable fault of BEST. The supply was restored through an alternate source from the Tata Power grid, added the statement.
The financial capital has an islanding system which generally ensures continuity in power supply.
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