Power Demand Soars To 821MW Amid Heat, Tops Last Year Peak A Mth Early

Nagpur: A sharp spike in electricity consumption, driven by soaring temperatures and increased use of cooling appliances, has pushed Nagpur's power demand to an unprecedented 821 MW. Last year's peak was 753 MW recorded in May. The early surge has intensified pressure on the city's power network, triggering frequent tripping and short-duration outages across several areas.The unusually high demand has raised concerns over the system's ability to cope in the coming weeks, when temperature and power demand are expected to climb further. Residents in multiple localities have reported intermittent disruptions, adding to discomfort amid heatwave-like conditions.Officials from the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) admitted the grid is under stress but said the situation is likely to stabilise after May 1, once ongoing pre-monsoon maintenance works are completed. "The demand recorded on April 21 itself crossed last year's peak. Such a sharp rise is putting pressure on infrastructure, leading to tripping and breakdowns in some pockets," a senior official said. The maintenance works are aimed at strengthening feeders, transformers and distribution lines. "Post May 1, outages will largely be limited to unavoidable faults," the official said.The surge is also being attributed to change in consumption patterns. Increased use of air conditioners, often multiple units per household, has significantly raised load demand. "At the same time, solar power adoption, while beneficial during daytime, is contributing to peak stress after sunset, leading to a sudden spike in grid dependency," the official said. Sources indicated that reverse load and fluctuations due to solar injection are adding complexity to grid management. Experts say the situation exposes gaps in preparedness. Power demand spikes during summer are cyclical and predictable, yet infrastructure upgrades have struggled to keep pace. MSEDCL sources said projects worth around Rs1,200 crore aimed at strengthening the city's network are underway, but delays have limited their immediate impact.