Short-term power markets to rescue ‘J&K’s 300 MWs gap’

Srinagar, May 23: With authorities projecting power deficit Upto 300 Megawatts (MWs) on the horizon, J&K State Load Despatch Center (SLDC) has decided to rely on short-term power markets to bridge the gap.
Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) in a meeting held in April, said that the authorities from Jammu and Kashmir have indicated that the region may face a minor power deficit of 100–300 MW.
“SLDC indicated a minor deficit (~100–300 MW) to be managed through short-term markets. Revised figures to be submitted,” NRPC said.
J&K SLDC has further informed the regulatory commission that J&K may face a power deficit of 152 MWs in the ongoing month and 103 MWs in the month of June.
The NRPC was further informed that there was a 79 MWs power deficit in the month of April.
Earlier in April it was reported that in the peak winters of 2025-2026, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were utilizing nearly 1,000 Megawatts (MWs) of coal and gas energy amid dip in hydel power generation.
The official figures in this regard had revealed that in the month of January-2026, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were utilizing 999.21 MWs of thermal energy including 870.14 MWs of coal and 129.7 MWs of gas energy from the allocated shares in joint and central sector utilities.
The figures reveal that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh were allocated with a total of 3767.44 MWs of power from state, private and central share out of which 999.21 MWs were thermal energy and 2673.1 MWs were from renewable energy.
It also said that out of the total allocated energy, the regions were utilizing 95.13 MWs of nuclear and 1115.88 MWs of hydel energy.
The figures also reveal that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in the month of January-2026 were relying on nearly 66 percent of imported power.
Pertinently, as already reported by this news agency Jammu and Kashmir was importing more than 95 percent of its electricity in the month of December.
The officials earlier in the month had informed that Jammu and Kashmir is importing electricity ranging from 2900 MWs to 3100 MWs during the peak hours. (KNO)