Patna: Electricity demand in Bihar has fallen sharply amid the ongoing cold spell, with consumption dropping by as much as 2,000 megawatts compared with average levels, according to officials from the state’s power utilities.
Power company data show that the usual demand of around 7,000 to 7,500MW has declined to about 5,000MW on most days this winter, occasionally rising to 5,500MW. Officials said the reduction has been more pronounced than in previous winters.
The primary reason, they explained, is the sudden drop in the use of air conditioners once winter sets in. “As temperatures fall, AC usage almost comes to a complete stop, which has a direct impact on overall demand,” a senior official said.
The decline is not limited to domestic users. Institutional consumers and large commercial establishments have also cut back on electricity use. In Patna, where most consumers are connected through smart prepaid meters, the fall in demand has been particularly visible, officials said.
Power companies said electricity demand is planned in advance by teams of technical experts who rely on weather forecasts to anticipate seasonal fluctuations. While heaters and geysers are used during cold weather, officials noted that their consumption does not offset the sharp fall caused by the absence of air conditioning.
Demand tends to drop further in smaller towns and cities, where winter electricity use is relatively low. According to information from NTPC, Bihar’s electricity demand has hovered around 5,000MW for much of the past month.
By contrast, demand typically peaks during the summer months, often reaching between 7,000 and 7,500MW. On Sunday evening, electricity demand stood at around 5,700MW, while from morning until about 5pm it sometimes fell to as low as 4,000MW, officials said.
Power sector officials said they expect demand to rise again only when temperatures begin to climb, with summer remaining the period of greatest pressure on the state’s electricity network.
