Dehradun: Due to heavy humidity and heat in the state, the demand for electricity has broken the record. On Wednesday, the demand for electricity crossed 6.1 crore units. While there was a problem of supply disruption at many sub-stations due to overload, UPCL has also started the gas plant located in Kashipur in view of the demand.
For the second consecutive year, the demand for electricity in the state is making UPCL sweat. Last year, high demand of 6.1 crore units was recorded on June 13, 6.2 crore units on June 14 and 15. This year, it crossed close to six crore units on Tuesday and 6.1 crore units on Wednesday. In the four years before 2024, the demand for electricity in the month of June never went above 5.5 crore units. The high demand of 5.5 crore units was recorded on 17 June 2023, the highest of 5.4 crore units on 14 June 2022, 4.7 crore units on 29 June 2021 and 4.1 crore units on 18 June 2020.
On Tuesday also, supply was disrupted at seven sub-stations amid heavy demand. Supply was disrupted for 21 minutes at 132 kV Bindal, 22 minutes at 132 kV Laltappad, 21 minutes at 132 kV Bhupatwala, 29 minutes at 132 kV Jwalapur, 13 minutes at 132 kV Padartha, 27 minutes at 220 kV Rishikesh and IDPL, and two hours and 32 minutes at 132 kV Ramnagar. Due to this, people were troubled due to lack of electricity in the summer. However, the UPCL management claims that at present no announced cuts are being made anywhere.
To meet the supply, Kashipur’s gas plant was started. To meet the ever-increasing supply of electricity in the state, UPCL has started the 321 MW gas-based plant located in Kashipur. UPCL has already purchased gas for the plant. The gas was kept in reserve to use it in times of great need. On the other hand, about 40 lakh units of electricity are being purchased daily from the market to meet the demand of electricity. UJVNL’s production also increased. The production of 21 projects of Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited has also reached two crore units in summer. It is expected to increase further. Due to melting of glaciers in summer and rain in the last few days, production has improved. This has given a lot of relief to UPCL in the huge demand.
