India met a peak power demand of 173.2 gigawatts (GW) on May 2. The demand, which could not be met on the day, or the peak demand deficit, increased to 297 megawatts (MW) from 53 MW from the day before (May 1).
On May 2, 2022, the peak power demand that was met was 204.4 GW, while the deficit was 1,773 MW, government records showed.
Also read: MC Exclusive | ‘We will absolutely meet the surge in demand’: Power minister RK Singh.
The reduction in demand this year in this period can be attributed to rains and thunderstorms in several parts of the country, leading to a drop in temperature that was lower than normal for this time of year. Normally, North India sees high temperatures and even heatwaves at this time, and the government had predicted the peak power demand to reach 230 GW this April.
On May 1, India experienced a peak power demand of 159.7 gigawatts (GW), the lowest for this day in three years. The demand, which could not be met on the day, or the peak demand deficit, was 53 megawatts (MW), the lowest in a decade, according to data seen by Moneycontrol.
The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) latest bulletin states that several parts of India are likely to experience heavy rainfall in the coming days, with some areas possibly affected by hailstorms. If such weather conditions continue, India's peak power demand will likely remain below the 200 GW mark for the rest of the week.
Also read: Govt cracks down on delayed green power projects; extension only after merit review.
The coal stocks situation is “manageable”, as of now, data accessed by Moneycontrol shows. Of the 165 domestic coal-based thermal power plants in the country, 35 had critical stocks. Last year at this time, the number of such plants was around 96. About 33 million tonnes (MT) of coal are stocked at thermal power plants as on May 3.
Coal stock is said to be at a critical level when power plants have less than 25 percent of the normative 26 days of fuel with them.
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