Patna: The state capital city Patna is on course to witness record-breaking electricity demand this summer as soaring temperatures and rapid urban expansion place increasing pressure on the city’s power infrastructure.
The highest power consumption this season was recorded on April 24, when demand climbed to 812 megawatts (MW) as the maximum temperature reached 40.6°C. Officials say the city could surpass last year’s peak record of 883 MW, with projections suggesting demand may cross 1,000 MW in the coming weeks.
Patna currently has around 7,59,000 electricity consumers, up from 7,20,000 last year. The sharp increase in users, combined with growing use of cooling appliances, has raised concerns over maintaining uninterrupted supply during peak hours.
Engineers Begin Intensive Monitoring
Energy department engineers have begun close monitoring of feeders carrying heavy loads to minimise tripping and outages. Peak electricity demand across the state is generally between 5pm and 11pm, while in Patna the load is particularly high from 9pm to midnight.
Fuse-related complaints tend to rise during these hours. Authorities have now started monitoring all 70 fuse call centres to ensure faster repairs and better response times.
PESU (Patna Electric Supply Undertaking) general manager Dilip Kumar Singh has directed executive engineers, assistant engineers and the junior engineers to remain on active monitoring duty from 9pm to 1am. Consumers lodging complaints will also be contacted for feedback, with officials warning of disciplinary action in cases of negligence.
Spike in demand due to heavy Use of Cooling Appliances
As temperatures climb, the use of air conditioners, coolers and the fans rises sharply. A standard air conditioner consumes significantly more electricity than multiple fans, meaning simultaneous use across thousands of homes creates sudden spikes in demand.
Older appliances such as inefficient fans, bulbs and refrigerators also add to overall consumption.
Expansion of the City
Patna’s growing population and construction boom have further increased electricity needs. New apartment complexes, malls and commercial buildings have added substantial fresh demand to the grid.
Recent Power Consumption in Patna
- April 24 – 812 MW
- April 25 – 789 MW
- April 26 – 780 MW
- April 27 – 586 MW
- April 28 – 580 MW
Time-Based Electricity Tariffs
- 9am to 5pm: Rs 2.39 per unit
- 5pm to 11pm: Rs 4.61 per unit
- 11pm to 9am: Rs 3.87 per unit
