New Delhi’s peak power demand reduces by up to 49 per cent during lockdown

Delhi’s peak powerdemand has reduced by up to 49 per cent with commercial and industrial activities virtually at a standstill due to the lockdown imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus, discom and power department officials said. According to official data, the peak power demand during the day has reduced by 40-50 per cent, while the peak electricity demand during the night has reduced by around 20-30 per cent.

The higher reduction in the day’s power demand is due to the closure of commercial and industrial establishments in the lockdown which has led to around 70-90 percent reduction of electricity demand in this segment, the officials said.

Since the Janta Curfew on March 22 which was followed by the nationwide lockdown, the city’s peak power demand has reduced by up to 49 per cent in comparison with the peak electricity demand last year, the officials said.

“The reduction in the peak demand is basically due to reduction in industrial and commercial activities during the lockdown,” a spokesperson of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) said.However, the domestic load has experienced no impact during the lockdown.

“People are confined to their homes and using electric appliances. So, there is no impact on Delhi’s domestic load, which is around 75 per cent of total power load. In fact, there is a slight increase in this category,” a discom official said.

The power demand situation is expected to remain the same till the lockdown is in force. The demand is expected to rise with an increase in the temperature in summers, he said.

“Being in essential services, BSES is always geared-up to ensure quality and reliable power supply to its consumers. We are closely watching the evolving coronavirus situation in the national capital and taking all appropriate measures to ensure reliable power supply,” a spokesperson of power discom BSES.

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