Greater Hyderabad power demand to surpass 5,000 MW in summer, cross last year’s record

Hyderabad: The power demand in Greater Hyderabad could exceed 5,000 megawatts during summer, surpassing the previous season record of 4,352 megawatts, said principal secretary (Energy) Sandeep Kumar Sultania.

He said, to meet the increasing demand during summer, over the past three months, new power transformers, distribution transformers and additional feeders have been installed to ensure quality supply in Greater Hyderabad.

The principal secretary participated in a meeting with all staff within the Banjara Hills Circle jurisdiction at the GENCO auditorium in the GTS colony on Wednesday. He took suggestions and advice from the workers.

Summer temperatures to exceed last year’s numbers

Speaking on the occasion, Sandeep Kumar said that the Meteorological Department has forecasted that maximum temperatures might increase even more this summer compared to last year. Thus, there’s a possibility of a significant rise in power demand in Greater Hyderabad during April and May.

Last year, the peak demand in Greater Hyderabad was recorded at 4,352 megawatts, but this year, it could exceed 5,000 megawatts. The government is ready to meet this demand, and field-level staff were advised to be vigilant and maintain good relations with every consumer, he added.

The principal secretary also mentioned that during this Yasangi season, the power demand has reached 17,162 megawatts. He credited the staff and officers of the electricity departments for ensuring supply without any issues despite the increased demand. With the Yasangi season demand now decreasing, the power demand in rural circles is going down, while in urban circles, it’s gradually increasing due to the summer impact, he said.

Commending the efforts of the power department staff, Sandeep Kumar said that the role of linemen and artisans working at the field level in electricity departments is extremely crucial.

Special meetings with field-level staff

“No matter what decisions are taken by the government or the electricity management at higher levels to ensure quality power supply to all categories of consumers, the progress and reputation of the organisation depend on the work practices and behaviour of the workers and staff at the ground level,” he said.

The principal secretary further said that several meetings were conducted in the past with the deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, CMDs, chief engineers and superintending engineers regarding summer preparations. Continuing this effort, it was decided to hold special meetings with field-level staff in all circles to prepare linemen and artisans, who represent the electricity department at the field level, he said.

Speaking on summer preparedness, TGSPDCL chairman and managing director Musharraf Faruqui, stated that all arrangements have been made considering past experiences. He mentioned that review meetings would be conducted in all circles within Greater Hyderabad in the coming days.