Dehradun: With the growing cold condition, the electricity consumption is increasing across the state. As per the report, the daily demand of electricity is likely to reach close to 50 million units and there are chances of further increase in its demand in January month.
The Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) has swung into action to arrange additional power for the state. UPCL is under plan to arrange 500-megawatt electricity to meet up the increased demand in the month of January.
UPCL to arrange 500-megawatt electricity from Haryana and UP
In January, the UPCL is set to arrange 500-megawatt electricity from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh through power banking to overcome the demand-supply gap in January. The power banking is a bilateral arrangement between two power states to trade energy to match their respective seasonal variation of surplus-deficit matrix.
No adequate generation of power from hydro-power projects currently
While the demand for electricity is increasing due to the growing cold condition, the power generation from the hydro-power project is also not sufficient in the hill state. Sources said the state is receiving adequate power from the centre and thus, there is no shortage of electricity currently. However, the challenges ahead for the Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited is possible growth in the demand of power in January month. Power generation is also expected to decline during the peak demand of power.
Power in high demand from December to January
Generally, the electricity consumption remains high during the winter season particularly from December to January. The hydro-power projects are also not generating adequate power. In such a situation, the UPCL depends on the market to meet the demand of power in the hill state.
The UPCL focusses to arrange electricity through power banking
In view of the high demand for power, the UPCL is under plan to arrange electricity from other states through power banking, instead of purchasing electricity from the market. The UPCL will arrange 300-megawatt electricity from Haryana while 200-megawatt from Uttar Pradesh through power banking. The UPCL may return the electricity to both the states in the coming season of summer and monsoon. The UPCL has entered into an agreement with both the states in this regard.
