GURGAON: With ACs on overdrive to help people weather the scorching heat waves that dominate Delhi-NCR's summer, the power distribution network has come under tremendous pressure. Electricity demand usually reaches its annual peak in July when humidity increases with heat. But this year, not only did the city measure an all-time high in May, but demand has been at that level for nearly a month, testing the power grid's capabilities, much to the relief of engineers. It still holds up. The city's daily power consumption has risen above 2,000 MW since May 15 this year, higher than the previous all-time peak recorded in July 2022, officials said on Tuesday. 2,385 MW on May 28 this year. A day later, the city recorded the season's highest temperature of 46.8 Celsius. Officials said such a surge in power demand was unprecedented for May and June. In 2021, electricity consumption in July reached 1,718 MW. In 2022, it also increased by 13% to 1,948 MW in July. A peak was also recorded in July last year, but it was slightly lower (1,890 MW) than the peak electricity demand of 2022 as the summer of 2023 was moderate, marked by several spells of rain. “Power demand is directly proportional to weather conditions. In NCR, it peaks in July as humidity increases, which increases power demand. This year's power demand is record-breaking. has been,” said a DHBVN official. He added that the worst of summer is not far behind, and the discom expects Gurgaon's demand to go up to 2,500 MW in the coming weeks. Residents said they had no choice. But due to the unbearable heat, using air conditioner all the time not only during the day but also at night. “It is unbearable even indoors at night. Normally, the temperature is high during the day, but even the night temperature is now too high and there is just no respite,” said a resident of Sector 48. Wale Sushant Sharma said. The silver lining this summer has been Haryana's preparations to ensure adequate power supply. 2022, coal shortages in thermal plants and a dispute over power rates with Adani Power led to supply deficits in April and May, forcing discoms to resort to shutdowns. The state later had to buy electricity at higher rates than usual. To ease the crisis, the power department signed several long-term and short-term power purchase agreements last year, including with Adani Power. The peak demand for all of Haryana was 12,120 MW in a single day in 2021. It is projected to increase by about 5 percent to 12,687 MW in 2022 and 13,055 MW in 2023. Power officials told TOI that they expect power demand to cross 14,000 MW this year due to extreme heat. The Power Purchase Center (HPPC), which purchases power from plants and various sources to supply DHBVN and UHBVN, has entered into power purchase agreements for 7,873 MW. An additional 2,528 MW of power is being generated from thermal power plants within the state, 846 MW from Haryana's share in other power projects and 2,921 MW of surplus power is assured through exchange arrangements with states. has gone In total, 14,168 MW power supply is assured, and if needed, HPPC can make last-minute purchases from other states even if the cost is high. Officials said. “Maximum power demand is expected in June or July this year. It is forecast to reach 14,287 MW per day in June and slightly lower at 14,262 MW in July.” A power department official said. Although there may not be any problem in supply, the continuous high electricity load makes the electricity infrastructure prone to overheating and interruptions, said a DHBVN official. “There is no power shortage at the grid level. But high ambient temperature and overloading increases the temperature of electrical equipment. This can trigger fire and explosion. We have to cut the supply for a few hours to avoid this. try to avoid,” the DHBVN official said above. TOI had earlier reported that discom officials have installed coolers and fans at substations in the city to prevent transformers from overheating.