Power cuts may have to be faced in summer: mercury crosses 40 in February itself

People may face severe power cuts this summer. Because in some parts of the country, the temperature has reached 40 degrees Celsius in the month of February itself. Electricity demand has reached near-record levels in recent weeks due to high temperatures. The heat stress has already increased the concern about the power supply in the country.
Power stations have already been ordered to generate electricity at full capacity for the next three months using imported coal to avoid blackouts during the summer season and ease pressure on domestic coal supplies.
Peak demand for electricity reached 211 GW in January, close to an all-time high last summer. Last year, after the lifting of the restrictions of the Corona epidemic, heavy industry started again and the people of the country faced dire circumstances.
Then the heat broke the 122-year-old record. According to India's Ministry of Power, electricity demand could reach a record 229 GW in April this year.
Last week, the temperature in some areas was 11 degrees above normal. The Indian Meteorological Department has advised farmers to check wheat and other crops due to heat. The unusual onset of hot weather is expected to increase electricity consumption due to strong sales of irrigation pumps and air conditioners. This is fueling concerns that the country's energy network will come under new strain after two consecutive years of disruption.
In the northern state of Rajasthan, power minister Bhanwar Singh Bhati said, 'The way the temperature is rising - it is unusual in February. The situation is becoming a matter of concern for us." Electricity is already being supplied to households and farmers here. 'The demand for electricity may increase by 20% to 30% compared to last summer. Cut in electricity supply There is no other option than this.
More than 70% of electricity in India is generated from coal. Coal stockpiles at power stations are currently well below the target of 45 million tonnes, which the government had asked to be met by the end of March. Odisha's Energy Minister Pratap Keshari Deb said India's ability to meet its summer electricity needs would also be largely determined by efforts to ensure the mining and transportation of enough coal.