Power load in Telangana peaks a month ahead; Rising temperatures, Rabi crop cultivation in record extent drive up the demand

Telangana power transmission system faces record peak load, surpassing previous highs, with plans to strengthen network for rising demand.

The peak load of power on the transmission system in Telangana reached a record level on Wednesday (February 05, 2025) when it clocked 15,644 megawatt surpassing the previous highest of 15,623 MW set on March 8 last year. The peak load registered a new high on Thursday (February 06, 2025) as it clocked nearly 15,800 MW.

Usually, power load peaks in March. However, this year it’s happening in February due to demand for power from the commercial, domestic and industrial sectors. Cultivation of Rabi/Yasangi crops in a record extent along with rising day and night temperatures too contributed to the demand. As forecast by the power utilities, the peak load is likely to hit the 17,000 MW mark in March.

The authorities of TG-Transco and the two Discoms stated that they are expecting the demand to start a climb down in April with harvesting of most of the Rabi crops likely to be completed during the month, shedding a majority of load on the system.

Agriculture sector - having nearly 30 lakh connections to draw ground and surface water with the help of pump-sets to raise crops - accounts for over 40% of the total demand at times.

In terms of daily energy consumption, the record of 311.04 million units set on March 13 last year is also expected to be breached during the next few days, if the rising peak demand of power for the last couple of weeks is any indication. This year, it is set to breach the 300 MU mark on February 6 (24-hour period from 00:00 hours to 23:59 hours).

The transmission and distribution utilities have already taken measures to strengthen their network to handle the rising demand by arranging additional transformers, laying new transmission lines to lessen the load on the overloading feeders and taking up maintenance works to cut down on the line (T&D – transmission and distribution) losses.

Deputy Chief Minister M. Bhatti Vikramarka, who handles the portfolios of Energy and Finance too, has already instructed the power utilities to gear up to meet the summer demand from all categories of consumers. The power utilities have also planned to establish 17 new sub-stations by March-end to reduce load on the existing ones, particularly the ones having high load.