Mumbai's power consumption comes down after December chills

Mumbai's average power demand is around 2,000 MW in the winter; consumption has dropped to 1,200 MW this season

The unusually cool December has caused electricity demand in the city to drop considerably. As people are not using power-guzzling air-conditioners and even ceiling and table fans, the electricity demand has dipped to 1,200 MW, while average demand is usually around 2,000 MW during winters. It soars to 3,600 MW during summers.

Also read: Mumbai shivers at 11 degrees, Mahabaleshwar warmer

Over the last week, Mumbai has been witnessing minimum temperatures between 11 degrees to 14 degrees. Pic/Nimesh Dave

Mumbai, that receives 24-hour electricity supply, has an average demand of around 2,700 MW. Power experts claim that this year there seems to be a substantial drop in demand during the ongoing winter season.

For instance, on the night of December 27, the electricity demand had come down to 1,268 MW around midnight. “This is when normally most air-conditioners are operational in summers,” said a power expert.

Even in the earlier part of the day, the electricity demand was fluctuating at around 1,800 MW.

Sources in BEST that supplies electricity to the island city (between Colaba to Sion/ Mahim) say that there has been a drastic drop in demand. “This is the time when we can actually work on improving our system. This year’s winter has led to drop in demand by almost 400 MW,” said a BEST official.

Mumbai enjoys 24-hour supply — BEST supplies around 900 MW, which is sourced from Tata Power, while Reliance Infra generates around 1,777 MW. Tata Power also generates and distributes electricity. But during summers, these power companies have to source power from other states.

“We have seen a drop by nearly 500 MW and it does reduce our burden,” said a RInfra spokesperson.

On the day of Christmas too the demand dipped to 1,600 MW but then officials claim that due to lighting by shopping malls, commercial complexes, offices and residences, the demand remained slightly on the higher side. On December 21, the demand was fluctuating between 2,600 MW to 1,500 MW, and gradually as days progressed, the temperatures started falling.

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