Warmer winter drives up electricity demand in Karnataka to record high 

Energy Minister K.J. George has declared that there will be no load shedding this year regardless of demand.
| Photo Credit: File Photo

Months before summer sets in in Karnataka, the peak electricity demand in the State touched an all-time high on January 31 with 17,691 Megawatts (MW). This surpassed the earlier record of 17,220 MW recorded in February 2024.

According to the data provided by the Power Company of Karnataka Ltd. (PCKL), in the month of January, 2024, the peak demand was 15,668 MW while the consumption was 294.01 Million Units (MU). This year, the consumption was 314.89 MU on January 31. 

“We just had a warm winter and in the month of January itself, people started using more fans and air conditioner systems which would usually start by February or March. Additionally, there has been an increase in sowing across the State by around 20% to 30% as there was good rainfall earlier this year and hence, it has driven up the agricultural load in rural areas. Hence, the demand was up by 2,000 MW this year in January,” a senior Energy Department official told The Hindu. 

Demand likely to rise

K.J. George
| Photo Credit:
File Photo

The official also said that by March this year, the demand is expected to touch 18,300 MW while by April (peak summer), it will touch 19,000 MW. Speaking at an event in January last week, Energy Minister K.J. George had said, “The demand for power is around 17,500 MW this year and we have made all arrangements to cater to this demand. With the installation of solar pump sets under PM KUSUM – B and solarisation of feeders under KUSUM – C for agricultural supply, we are able to manage the demand.” 

Mr. George had also declared that there will be no load shedding this year regardless of the demand. “We did not do load shedding previously when there was drought. This time, the reservoirs are all filled and water storage is good. If needed, we will have power swapping agreements with other states and supply power,” the Minister said.  

Bengaluru gets warmer 

If you have felt that the last week of January was warmer than the rest of the month in Bengaluru, then you are right. According to India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bengaluru, the temperature hit 32 to 33 degrees Celsius in the last few days of January in the city. 

“In general, the winter has been warmer and drier this year. In January, the temperature was around 2 to 3 degrees above normal. The easterly winds dominated, and the northerly cold and dry winds did not penetrate the Indian region. South India especially had a warm winter this time,” said C.S. Patil, scientist and director, IMD, Bengaluru.

For the next week, warmer conditions are expected to continue in the city. “Although we do not have an accurate prediction yet for the period after that, whenever it is too warm, it will rain and the city cools down. That could happen this time too,” Mr. Patil added.