Mumbai As the city grapples with sweltering temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, Mumbai’s peak power consumption surged past an unprecedented 4,300 megawatts (MW) on Tuesday.
This record-breaking demand is placing considerable strain on the city’s power infrastructure, according to industry experts. On Tuesday, the peak power demand from Mumbai’s nearly 5 million consumers reached 4,306 MW. Adani Electricity Mumbai Limited (AEML) reported that on May 21 at 3:45 pm, peak demand hit 2,253 MW, surpassing the previous record of 2,161 MW set in June 2023. AEML, which serves approximately 2.9 million consumers in the suburbs and parts of the Mumbai metropolitan region, has been significantly impacted by the rising demand.
Concurrently, Tata Power’s demand from its 750,000 consumers stood at 1,050 MW, while the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking, which supplies electricity to 1.05 million consumers, experienced a peak demand exceeding 910 MW. Additionally, areas like Bhandup and Mulund, which receive supply from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL), contributed to the remaining demand.
Power experts noted that in April, the maximum demand had already reached 4,108 MW. Tata Power had anticipated an additional demand increase of 50-150 MW from April to June. On April 20, the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission granted approval for Tata Power to purchase short-term power to address this anticipated surge. “The increased demand is forcing power companies to procure expensive power from the open market, sometimes at rates as high as ₹12 per unit. With the ongoing redevelopment projects and expansion of metro rail lines, the demand is expected to climb even higher,” explained a power industry expert.
Despite the strain, local generation efforts continue. Adani Electricity’s Dahanu plant generates 500 MW, while Tata Power’s Trombay plant produces around 800 MW, supplemented by 440 MW from renewable energy sources. However, the overall power demand in Maharashtra remains high, hovering around 26,000 MW. The burgeoning power consumption in Mumbai highlights the urgent need for infrastructure upgrades and efficient energy management strategies. As redevelopment and urbanisation continue apace, the city’s power demands are set to escalate, necessitating robust planning and resource allocation to ensure uninterrupted supply and stability of the electrical grid. In light of these developments, stakeholders are emphasising the importance of long-term solutions, including investment in renewable energy sources, upgrading existing power infrastructure, and implementing smart grid technologies to enhance efficiency and resilience against future demands.
