Patna: The growing reliance on induction stoves in Patna amid an ongoing LPG shortage has led to a sharp rise in electricity consumption, with demand increasing by around 100 MW in recent weeks, according to officials.
Data from the city’s power utility shows that peak electricity load, which stood at about 350 MW in March last year, has climbed to roughly 450 MW over the past fortnight. On Wednesday, demand reached 456 MW, reflecting the cumulative impact of changing household energy use.
Officials at the Patna Electric Supply Undertaking (PESU) attribute the rise largely to a shift in cooking practices. As more households turn to induction stoves in the absence of LPG cylinders, electricity consumption has surged during evening hours.
This shift is also evident in the timing of peak demand. Previously, the highest load was recorded between 10pm and midnight, largely driven by cooling appliances such as air conditioners. However, the peak window has now moved earlier, between 7pm and 9pm — coinciding with typical cooking hours.
On Wednesday evening, four of PESU’s 11 power grids were operating at maximum capacity at 7pm, increasing to six grids at 8pm. Another grid reached its peak load at 9pm, underscoring the strain on infrastructure during these hours.
Dilip Kumar Singh, general manager of PESU, said the utility had anticipated higher demand and made adequate preparations. “The increased use of induction stoves may be contributing to the load, but we are not concerned,” he said, noting that the system had been upgraded to handle up to 1,000 MW this year.
Last summer, the city recorded a peak demand of 883 MW, and current consumption levels remain well below the upgraded capacity, Singh added.
The surge in electricity use comes against the backdrop of a wider LPG shortage linked to geopolitical tensions, including the Iran–US tensions and disruptions in the Gulf region. While authorities have maintained that there is no nationwide shortage of LPG cylinders, residents across Patna report increasing difficulty in securing supplies.
As a result, a growing number of households are abandoning gas stoves in favour of electric alternatives, a trend that is expected to continue if supply constraints persist.
