With temperatures on the rise and air conditioners working overtime, Delhi’s power demand surged to a season-high of 5029 MW on Tuesday at 3:30 PM, marking the highest power consumption so far this year, according to the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC).
This record, however, may soon be shattered, as Delhi braces for a scorching summer with peak demand projected to reach a historic 9000 MW—a milestone never seen before in the national capital.
“The projected 9000 MW demand this summer represents an increase of over 300% since 2002,” said a BSES spokesperson.
In 2024, Delhi’s all-time high power demand stood at 8656 MW.
Discoms in Overdrive Mode: Advanced Tech & Green Energy in Play
BSES discoms—BSES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) and BSES Yamuna Power Limited (BYPL)—have ramped up their operations to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to over 2 crore residents across South, West, East, and Central Delhi.
To meet the rising demand, BSES has:
- Secured long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs)
- Established power banking arrangements with multiple states
- Adopted AI and ML-based demand forecasting
- Leveraged the Real-Time Market on the Power Exchange
- Increased its green power portfolio, contributing over 2100 MW
Projected Area-wise Demand
- BRPL (South & West Delhi): ~4050 MW (up from 3809 MW in 2024)
- BYPL (East & Central Delhi): ~1900 MW (up from 1882 MW in 2024)
Power Mix: Over 2100 MW from Green Energy
A substantial chunk of Delhi’s summer power will come from renewable sources:
- 🌞 888 MW Solar (via SECI)
- 💨 500 MW Wind
- 💧 546 MW Hydro
- ♻️ 40 MW Waste-to-energy
- 🏘️ 160+ MW Rooftop Solar
AI-Driven Load Forecasting & Predictive Maintenance
BSES says it is using advanced statistical models, combined with AI/ML and weather data from IMD-POSCO, to ensure day-ahead, intra-day, and medium-term power planning.
“This system not only ensures high-accuracy forecasting but also saves significant manpower and helps maintain grid stability,” BSES noted.
Preventive and predictive maintenance techniques being used include:
- Thermal scanning
- Partial discharge measurement
- Health checks of transformers
- Online load monitoring systems
Emergency Measures and Contracts
To handle unforeseen demand surges:
- BRPL may procure up to 1100 MW via bilateral contracts
- Short-term purchases from the power exchange are on standby
Delhi’s Power Journey: Then & Now
| Year | Peak Demand (MW) |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2879 |
| 2018 | 7016 |
| 2024 | 8656 |
| 2025 (Projected) | 9000 |
As Delhi prepares for what could be one of the hottest summers in recent years, power preparedness, renewable reliance, and predictive technology are likely to be critical tools in keeping the capital cool and running.
Would you like an infographic visualising Delhi’s power growth since 2000 or a map showing BRPL/BYPL areas and their respective demand forecasts?