In the island city -- that receives electricity from Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) -- the demand is climbing and has already crossed 700Mw.
Even before an earnest start to summer, the city's electricity demand has touched 3000Mw, which is normally the case during summers.
As per the data maintained by the state's Load Despatch Centre -- the government agency that monitors electric supply for Mumbai and Maharashtra -- the maximum demand of the island city and suburbs was over 2990Mw around noon on February 23.
In the island city -- that receives electricity from Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) -- the demand is climbing and has already crossed 700Mw. "We realise that temperatures are going to soar. We have tie-ups in place with power distributors in case of any shortfall of power," said Surendra Bagde, General Manager, BEST Undertaking.
The BEST supplies electricity to 10 lakh consumers, Tata Power to over 5.5 lakh consumers and Reliance Infra (which recently sold off its power business to the Adani Group) has 26 lakh consumers. Sources said that during this past weekend the demand for electricity in Mumbai had fallen to 2224Mw as many offices and commercial workplaces were shut.
Temperatures are over 36 degree Celsius, which has caused a surge in the use of air conditioners. Power experts claim that the demand is set to spike as March approaches. In summer, Mumbai's demand touches 3700Mw while the maximum demand in the island city was 912Mw last year.
"The situation is only going to get worse. During summer season, the demand climbs to nearly 3500Mw," said Ashok Pendse, power expert. The main reason for the increasing load is the use of air conditioners. This has led to increasing electricity bills as the consumption too spikes during summers.
Mumbai's demand:
Other seasons: 2200Mw/day
During summer: 3500Mw/day
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