Srinagar, Nov. 18: Kashmir is on the verge of a major power crisis, with the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) considering more power cuts owing to continuously insufficient power allocation.
The present power allotment of 1300 MW is a significant fall from the 1700 MW received during the same time last year, suggesting a serious deficit that threatens to exacerbate Kashmir’s electrical troubles.
A top KPDCL official has raised the alarm over declining power allotment, stating, “We are considering further extending power cuts as the current allocation is insufficient, especially given that peak demand during winter can exceed 2000 MW.”
According to the senior official, if adequate power is not allocated, KPDCL may be forced to change the current curtailment timetable and execute a new one with even fewer hours of power supply.
The urgency of the problem is emphasized by the fact that power outages have grown so severe that monthly electricity consumption in Kashmir has dropped by 30 to 40 million units compared to the previous year.
“The unscheduled and frequent distress cuts caused by a reduction in allocation have wreaked havoc on the grid.” This has resulted in an unstable demand curve, generating a cascade effect of increasing peak loads and stress on power infrastructure, exacerbating the power crisis and intensifying curtailments,” a KPDCL official stated.
According to official sources, the government has reduced electricity purchases since the summer, exacerbating the issue of limited local power production.
The consequence of these actions is seen in the large divergence from the restriction plan proposed by the KPDCL.
Metered sites in metropolitan areas were originally slated for 4.5 hours of load shedding, while non-metered regions were given 8 hours.
Similarly, in rural regions, metered places were scheduled for a maximum of 6 hours of power outages, while non-metered areas were scheduled for 8 hours.
“However, due to reduced power allocation, there is no adherence to the schedule, with power outages lasting 4 to 5 hours at a time.”
Metered regions have had more than 8 hours of load shedding, while non-metered areas have had up to 10 to 12 hours of power outages.
