450 MW extra power consumed during India-Oz semi-final

With almost every television tuned onto the India-Australia World Cup semi-final on Thursday, the Energy Department grappled to meet the sudden sprint in demand.

The department supplied 9,549 MW of power, 450 MW more than the 9,100 MW supplied every day. This extra power was largely drawn from hydroelectric stations.

Addressing reporters here on Friday, Energy Minister D K Shivakumar said that though the department was already overburdened—given the harsh summer—it ensured that consumers were not inconvenienced on “a big day” like the World Cup semi-final.

“Yesterday’s demand was at an all-time high. But we somehow managed to meet the additional demand as it was an important match,” he said.

The department drew 51.05 MU from hydel stations, 56.91 MU from thermal, 7.56 MU from wind, 26.59 MU from UPCL, 21.06 MU from Jindal and 3.16 MU from Maharashtra, in addition to the share allocated to the State from the Centre.

Depleting water table

Shivakumar also said that the depleting ground water table was a cause for concern, as the levels have gone down to 1,500 feet in most districts.

“If the trend continues, farmers will have to face dire consequences when it comes to irrigation activities. It is imperative that they make judicious use of the water available,” he added.

Farmers are being urged to switch to efficient IP sets and solar pump sets, and adopt scientific irrigation methods, he said.