Power utilities told to gear up for rise in demand in coming months
Hyderabad: Anticipating a sharp rise in electricity consumption in the coming months due to the impact of El Niño, Telangana’s transmission and distribution utilities have been directed to draw up a comprehensive action plan to reinforce networks and ensure uninterrupted supply.
Chairman and Managing Director of TGSPDCL Jitesh V. Patil issued the directions at a meeting on “Network Planning – Summer Action Plan” held in Hyderabad on Tuesday, asking officials to take all necessary steps to meet growing demand and the additional seasonal load expected in summer.
Rising load and new consumption milestones
Underscoring the urgency, areas served by TGSPDCL recorded their highest-ever peak load of 12,044 megawatt at 3.52 p.m. on Tuesday. The previous high was 11,828 MW, logged on September 11.
Within the GHMC limits, maximum demand was registered on May 22 at 4,782 MW, alongside the day’s highest energy consumption of 101.07 million units. Statewide, the highest-ever daily energy consumption this year was recorded on March 13 at 344.4 million units, while the highest peak load across Telangana was clocked on September 9 at 19,543 MW.
Strengthening transmission and distribution
Officials from Transco and the Discoms were instructed to prepare network expansion plans that address immediate needs and the projected demand over the next five to ten years. Mr. Patil asked them to expedite capacity augmentation at heavily loaded substations, feeders and power transformers to maintain reliability through peak summer conditions.
Circle-wise proposals are to be drawn up for the establishment of new EHT and UHV substations, 33/11 kV substations, additional power transformers (PTRs), enhancement of transformer capacities, new 33 kV feeders, switching stations and interlinking lines in line with future requirements.
Industrial corridors and inter-agency coordination
To support upcoming economic hubs, Mr. Patil directed that dedicated power infrastructure plans be prepared for emerging industrial corridors, including Madharam–Ghatkesar, Thimmapur–Kandukur, Eliminedu–Ibrahimpatnam and Dandumalkapur–Choutuppal. He emphasised close coordination with the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) to ensure timely execution of projects in these zones.
Reliability for critical consumers
The CMD stressed the need to prioritise dual-source power supply systems for data centres, IT parks, major industries and other critical consumers to guarantee uninterrupted and quality power. He also instructed officials to identify heavily loaded 33 kV and 11 kV feeders and take up network strengthening wherever required.
Next steps
Power utilities have been tasked with finalising a comprehensive summer preparedness plan that integrates transmission and distribution upgrades, targeted capacity enhancements and corridor-specific infrastructure dovetailed with industrial development timelines.
The measures are aimed at ensuring grid stability and service reliability as temperatures rise and electricity demand spikes across Telangana in the months ahead.
