Hyderabad electricity demand hits record 4,114 MW

Hyderabad has reached a record peak electricity demand of 4,114 megawatts (MW) on October 1. This surge, occurring at 6:30 pm within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits, exceeds the peak demand recorded during the same period over the last three years. Officials attribute the rising consumption to urban expansion and the growth of commercial and IT establishments.

In conjunction with rising demand, electricity bills in Hyderabad and other Telangana districts are expected to increase starting in November. The Telangana Electricity Regulatory Commission (TGERC) has approved the recovery of Rs 5,420 crore in pending true-up dues from non-agricultural consumers. This recovery will be implemented through monthly bills over more than two years, initially at 30 paise per unit before increasing to 50 paise per unit.

The total approved true-up amount for the 2022-23 and 2023-24 financial years is Rs 7,635 crore. While agricultural consumers are exempt from these specific charges, the state government has been directed to reimburse Rs 2,214 crore for free electricity supplied to farmers. The recovery will be split between the Telangana Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGSPDCL) and the Telangana Northern Power Distribution Company Limited (TGNPDCL).