Kashmir faces 4,400 MWh daily power shortfall

Srinagar, Nov 13: The onset of cold weather has pushed Kashmir into a daily power deficit of nearly 4,400 megawatt-hours (MWh)—leaving consumers to contend with scheduled curtailments amid plummeting temperatures.
An official informed that “Over 24 hours, we face an actual power demand of 34,400 MWh. However, the power availability fluctuates from 29,000, 31000 MWh. There is a deficiency of nearly 4400 MWh.”
The official further said that on an average, there is a power deficiency of nearly 150 MW.
“On an average, we have a power availability of 1280 MW against a total requirement of 1435 MW,” he said.
He further said, “Since yesterday, the peak power demand has increased by 50 MW. Till yesterday we were facing a peak non-solar power demand of 1650 MW which increased to 1700 MW today.”
As already reported, Hydro power generation in Jammu and Kashmir declines by nearly 80 percent.
An official had informed that the hydel power generation from the J&K owned projects was fluctuating between 250-280 Megawatt (MW).
“During the past week, the average power generation from the local generation projects was fluctuating from 250-280 or 270-300 MW,” the official said.
Earlier this news agency reported that Kashmir is reeling under power deficiency of nearly 300 MW.
An official had informed that “In Kashmir, the power demand during the third week of September remained around 1350 Megawatts (MW).”
He said, “During the peak hours, we generally had a power demand of 1300-1350 MWs in Kashmir division. However, the power availability was fluctuating between 1000-1150 MWs.”
The official further said that the power supply keeps on fluctuating. “Thus, the power demand and availability also varies from time to time. During that period we enforce grid curtailment.”
It is pertinent to mention that Jammu and Kashmir was importing nearly 84 percent of power from other states in the last week of October.
The official figures in this regard reveal that the Union Territory was importing nearly 2000 MWs of power from other states and UTs. (KNO)