Can J&K, Ladakh’s power grids withstand 5.5 per cent power reserve margin?

Srinagar, Jun 1: The official Planning Reserve Margin (PRM) for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh stands at just 5.5%—leaving little to no buffer against sudden power demand spikes or generation outages.
The official documents reveal that “The Planning Reserve Margin (PRM) for Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh has been assessed at 5.5%.
It also said that the projected and contracted capacity is in compliance with the stipulated Renewable Purchase Obligation (RPO) targets.
The projections have been made in accordance with the reliable studies that have been conducted based on the projected capacity for the year 2035-36.
According to the official documents, the study assesses the Planning Reserve Margin (PRM) required by the UT to account for the uncertainties, ensuring that demand can be reliably met throughout the year.
Official documents also said that the analysis confirms that the projected capacity meets the reliability criteria specified in the National Electricity Plan (NEP), with the Loss of Load Probability (LoLP) and Normalised Energy Not Served (NENS) remaining within the permissible limits of 0.2% and 0.05%, respectively as specified in the National Electricity Plan (NEP).
Pertinently, it was reported that Jammu and Kashmir is likely to face a four percent Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) increase in electricity requirement and six percent increase in peak electricity demand for the period of 2025-26 to 2035-36.
The official documents in this regard reveal that it has considered electrical energy requirement projections as per J&K State Load Dispatch Center (SLDC).
The documents further reveal that the SLDC has projected that the annual electrical energy requirement of the UT is likely to grow at a CAGR of 4 percent while the peak electricity demand for the utility is likely to grow at a CAGR of 6 percent for the period of 2025-26 to 2035-36.
In April it was reported that Jammu and Kashmir has indicated that a power load requirement of up to 7 Gigawatts (GWs) by the coming five years needs to be considered in the winter season—signaling major infrastructure upgrades to avoid seasonal blackouts.
However, the officials have conservatively trimmed the load requirement to 5 GW by the financial year 2029-30. (KNO)