In searing heat, city’s power draw peaks at 5,032 MW

The searing heat on Friday pushed the power demand in the city to an all-time high of 5,032 MW. The average maximum temperature in the Capital was 44 degrees Celsius, even the mercury crossed 45 degrees Celsius in parts of the city.

West and South Delhi, serviced by BSES Rajdhani, consumed 1,940 MW while East and parts of South Delhi which fall under BSES Yamuna consumed 1,336 MW, highest ever in this area. North Delhi too touched an all-time high of 1,400 MW, surpassing the season's highest of 1,324 MW.

"The maximum power demand in the city touched 5,032 MW at 3.44 pm. Delhi set a new power consumption record today," power officials said.

The Power department has projected increased power demands this year. The peak power demand in BSES Yamuna supply areas, which reached 1,195 MW during the summer of 2011, is expected to be around 1,350 MW during the summer months. In West and South Delhi, peak power demand, which reached 2,061 MW in the summer of 2011 is expected to touch 2,200 MW this year.

On Friday, Palam and Ayanagar stations of the Met recorded maximum temperatures of 45.2 and 45.4 degrees Celsius respectively, higher than last year's maximum of 44.1 degrees Celsius.

For Delhi, Indian Meteorological Department uses the maximum and minimum temperatures recorded at the Safdarjung station as the overall reading for the city.

The Met department warned residents that the city is going to get hotter. While maximum temperatures are expected to remain the same at 44 degrees Celsius on Saturday, minimum temperatures are expected to touch 30 degrees Celsius, compared to Friday's minimum of 27.8 degrees Celsius.

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