El Nino ‘load’ on power supply Rs 2k-cr addl burden!

Hyderabad: The Telangana government is now feeling the pinch of increasing demand for power in the state attributed to the El Nino weather pattern. The unprecedented growth in power consumption over the last three months due to deficit rainfall and supply of highly subsidised power to the agriculture and domestic sectors has become a millstone around the neck of government in the current financial year - 2026-2027. The precarious El Nino would mount at least Rs 2,000-crore additional financial burden on the state exchequer this year. State Energy Department has begun estimating financial burden in the second and third quarters of the financial year, considering that the impacts of the weather phenomenon will continue in the remaining two quarters, officials said. The requirement of power for the farm sector increased manifold in the Kharif season and the demand for power in the upcoming Rabi season would be more.

Quite unexpectedly, the power demand in the peak hours of September 30 touched 19, 892 MW.

The main reason was the increased power consumption in farming and domestic sectors. Accurate increase of power demand for agriculture over the last two months amidst deficit rainfall in the state is under study.

“We expected around 15,000 MW of power demand during the peak hours in September. It was 4,000 MW of power more than expected levels”, State Special Chief Secretary Navin Mittal said. The demand for energy may increase to 20,000 MW from January 2027 for agricultural needs in Rabi, he added.

The official said that the state government would have to mobilise more funds to purchase power for farming needs and also domestic purposes, mainly to cater to the energy needs of Gruha Lakshmi scheme beneficiaries who are availing 200 units of free power every month.

The consumption of power under the scheme is also increasing due to heat weather conditions across the state, according to officials.

Purchasing power and supplying it at subsidised prices to the electricity consumers would be burdensome for the government during the El Nino crisis, officials said.Hence, to cushion the additional financial burden, the government has taken some specific measures, mainly generating power at full installed capacity of 7,500 MW in all thermal power stations. Accordingly, coal supply to all thermal stations would be streamlined before the start of the Rabi season in November this year, officials said.

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Patan Afzal Babu

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Patan Afzal Babu is an experienced journalist specializing in political and state Administration. With over 20 years of writing expertise, Afzal Babu contributes new content in the areas of politics and administration. Afzal has completed post-graduation from Hyderabad Central University (with a specialization in Journalism). Afzal Babu is an accomplished writer with a passion for writing political news and breaking news. With over 20 years of experience, Afzal honed skills in various genres, including major crime news. Afzal’s diverse family history and embracing cultures have enriched writing with unique perspectives.

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