Electricity demand in Delhi has reached a new high of 6,087 MW in winter.

According to power discom BSES, Delhi recorded the highest ever winter season electricity demand of 6,087 MW on Friday, indicating rising electricity consumption even amid the cold season.

The discom said the peak recorded at 10.39 am on Friday surpassed the last five years’ winter maximum demand of 5,655 MW and its two utilities – BRPL and BYPL – successfully met the maximum demand of 2,508 MW and 1,209 MW respectively in their supply areas.

Discom data has shown a steady increase in winter peak demand over the last few years. Among BSES areas, BRPL had recorded a peak of 2,431 MW in winter last year, while BYPL had touched 1,105 MW.

It said demand is estimated to increase to around 2,570 MW for BRPL and around 1,350 MW for BYPL this winter.

Over the last five winters, Delhi’s peak power demand has seen a steady increase. In the winter of 2020-21, the city recorded a peak demand of 5,021 MW, which will increase to 5,104 MW in 2021-22 and 5,526 MW in 2022-23, it read.

Demand increased again to 5,816 MW during the winter of 2023–24 before reaching 5,655 MW last winter. This year, Delhi has already surpassed the previous record, with the maximum demand so far reaching 6,087 MW, the highest ever winter power consumption in the city, the discom shared.

To ensure uninterrupted supply during the winter months, BSES has made extensive arrangements, including long-term power tie-ups, increased use of renewable energy, power banking with other states, energy storage solutions and advanced demand forecasting.

The utility said more than half of BSES’s winter power requirement is being met through renewable and clean energy sources such as solar, wind, hydro and waste-to-energy.

The discom said that of the estimated winter demand of about 3,900 MW in BRPL and BYPL areas, more than 50 per cent is derived from green energy, helping reduce Delhi’s carbon footprint.

BSES also said it is using AI and machine learning-based tools to make more accurate demand forecasts by taking into account weather conditions, consumer behavior and other variables. The surplus power generated during the low demand winter period is being banked with partner states like Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Kerala and Chhattisgarh for use during the high demand summer months.

Battery energy storage systems are also being deployed to store excess power during off-peak hours and discharge it during peak periods, while coordinated grid management measures are being taken to maintain system stability, it said.

According to BSES spokesperson, the utility is fully prepared to meet the winter power needs of the city.

“Through smart planning, comprehensive renewable integration, strong banking mechanisms, advanced storage utilization and AI-powered forecasting, we are committed to ensuring reliable, clean and green power supply to over 53 lakh consumers and approximately 2.25 crore residents across the city,” the spokesperson said.