RAJKOT: In the scorching summer, there is an unprecedented increase in demand for power. According to data, the four public sector electricity distribution companies (discoms) of Gujarat have recorded the highest power demand till date at 5pm on April 4 which was 19,836 MW.
The four public discoms supply electricity to the entire state except Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Surat.
The high demand is attributed to agricultural load as well as high consumption in residential and commercial areas on account of rising temperature.
Energy expert K K Bajaj said, “This high demand is registered despite the 500 MW power cut imposed by GUVNL (Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited) for industrial consumers, otherwise the demand would have crossed 20,000 MW for the first time in the history.”
Because of higher demand, the GUNVL was forced to buy power at Rs 9.50 and 10 per unit from India energy exchange. According to energy experts, poor power generation of public sector company GSECL (Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited) remained the main reason for the remaining plant load factor (PLF) less than 50 percent.
“GSECL has to generate power at more than 70 % PLF to cater rising power demand of Gujarat, otherwise GUVNL will have to buy costly power from the spot market, which will increase FPPPA (Fuel price and power purchase agreement) charges on consumers which is currently Rs 2.98 per unit and it’s highest in India.” Bajaj added.
