<p>Bengaluru: Karnataka saw an abnormal increase in electricity consumption in the state during the first two months, with the power demand breaching 17,500 MW, data released by the power department shows.</p><p>This is the first time in the state's history that the requirement has grown to such an extent, an Energy Department official said.</p><p>According to the data, the power demand in the state for the months of January and February stood at 17,691 MW and 18,350 MW, respectively. The demand rose to 18,395 MW for March. The energy demand is expected to remain at 18,294 mw in April and 17,122 mw in May, according to the department data.</p>.There are no irregularities in installing smart meters: Energy Department.<p>Pankaj Kumar Pandey, managing director of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), said that the current maximum electricity consumption stands at 357 million units.</p><p>"Since Covid, there has been a significant rise in electricity demand. The maximum demand was 14,367 MW in 2020-21, 14,818 MW in 2021-22, 15,828 MW in 2022-23, and 17,220 MW in 2023-24. This time, it has reached 18,385 MW,” Pandey said.</p><p>"During the peak demand period in April 2024, the electricity demand reached 16,985 MW, and it is projected to rise to 18,294 MW this year, reflecting an 8.1% increase. Similarly, in May 2024, the demand was 16,826 MW and is expected to grow to 17,122 MW, marking a 1.8% increase,” Pandey said.</p><p>Pandey attributed the rise to multiple aspects such as a growing consumer base, an increase in farming activities, and excess use of air conditioners due to harsh summers.</p><p>Energy department officials claimed that due to good rainfall throughout the state, reservoirs are full and hence the farmers have grown an extra crop, due to which the cropping area has increased to an extent of 15 percent on average all over the state. Major districts in which cropping area has increased are Tumakuru, Mandya, Vijayapura, and Belagavi, according to department officials.</p><p>“From December 2024 to May, we will be sourcing electricity from Uttar Pradesh through an exchange agreement, ranging from 100 to 1,400 MW during the peak demand period. Similarly, an agreement has been established to receive electricity from Punjab, ranging from 200 to 531 MW, on an exchange basis from January to April," they added.</p><p>The state will receive power from Uttar Pradesh through an exchange agreement. Similarly, the state also has an agreement with Punjab, according to the officials.</p><p><strong>Timeline</strong></p><p><strong>2024 (consumption in MW)</strong></p><p>October - 12,850 </p><p>November - 14,853</p><p>December - 15,312</p><p><strong>2025</strong></p><p>January - 17,691</p><p>February - 18,350</p><p>March - 18,395 </p>
<p>Bengaluru: Karnataka saw an abnormal increase in electricity consumption in the state during the first two months, with the power demand breaching 17,500 MW, data released by the power department shows.</p><p>This is the first time in the state's history that the requirement has grown to such an extent, an Energy Department official said.</p><p>According to the data, the power demand in the state for the months of January and February stood at 17,691 MW and 18,350 MW, respectively. The demand rose to 18,395 MW for March. The energy demand is expected to remain at 18,294 mw in April and 17,122 mw in May, according to the department data.</p>.There are no irregularities in installing smart meters: Energy Department.<p>Pankaj Kumar Pandey, managing director of Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL), said that the current maximum electricity consumption stands at 357 million units.</p><p>"Since Covid, there has been a significant rise in electricity demand. The maximum demand was 14,367 MW in 2020-21, 14,818 MW in 2021-22, 15,828 MW in 2022-23, and 17,220 MW in 2023-24. This time, it has reached 18,385 MW,” Pandey said.</p><p>"During the peak demand period in April 2024, the electricity demand reached 16,985 MW, and it is projected to rise to 18,294 MW this year, reflecting an 8.1% increase. Similarly, in May 2024, the demand was 16,826 MW and is expected to grow to 17,122 MW, marking a 1.8% increase,” Pandey said.</p><p>Pandey attributed the rise to multiple aspects such as a growing consumer base, an increase in farming activities, and excess use of air conditioners due to harsh summers.</p><p>Energy department officials claimed that due to good rainfall throughout the state, reservoirs are full and hence the farmers have grown an extra crop, due to which the cropping area has increased to an extent of 15 percent on average all over the state. Major districts in which cropping area has increased are Tumakuru, Mandya, Vijayapura, and Belagavi, according to department officials.</p><p>“From December 2024 to May, we will be sourcing electricity from Uttar Pradesh through an exchange agreement, ranging from 100 to 1,400 MW during the peak demand period. Similarly, an agreement has been established to receive electricity from Punjab, ranging from 200 to 531 MW, on an exchange basis from January to April," they added.</p><p>The state will receive power from Uttar Pradesh through an exchange agreement. Similarly, the state also has an agreement with Punjab, according to the officials.</p><p><strong>Timeline</strong></p><p><strong>2024 (consumption in MW)</strong></p><p>October - 12,850 </p><p>November - 14,853</p><p>December - 15,312</p><p><strong>2025</strong></p><p>January - 17,691</p><p>February - 18,350</p><p>March - 18,395 </p>