Cold wave drives demand surge as KPDCL handles record 1,982 MW in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 19: Amid a sharp rise in electricity demand triggered by a dip in temperatures following continuous rainfall in the plains and fresh snowfall in upper reaches, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Thursday handled a record load of 1,982 megawatts (MW), the highest ever in the Valley.

Officials said the surge in demand was largely driven by increased use of heating gadgets across households and commercial establishments as cold conditions intensified over the past few days.

“This is the highest load ever supplied in Kashmir. The spike is primarily weather-driven, with extensive use of heating appliances following rainfall and snowfall,” a senior KPDCL official said.

According to real-time data from the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), the total electricity load across Jammu and Kashmir reached 3,090 MW. Of this, around 2,713 MW was met through imports, while only about 377 MW was contributed by local generation, underlining the region’s continued structural dependence on external supply.

In Kashmir alone, the load touched 1,982 MW, reflecting not only seasonal demand but also a steady increase in urban consumption and commercial activity. However, most of this demand continues to be met through power drawn from the central grid.

Energy experts point out that nearly 88 percent dependence on imports poses financial and operational challenges, including high procurement costs and vulnerability to supply fluctuations.

KPDCL currently caters to around 12.44 lakh registered consumers through a vast network of 338 receiving substations (33/11 kV), 1,292 high-tension feeders and 47,886 distribution transformers spread across the Valley.

Despite the unprecedented demand, officials said the distribution system remained stable due to improved grid management and infrastructure upgrades. “Handling close to 2,000 MW load reflects better planning, real-time monitoring and strengthening of our network. Our teams are working round-the-clock to ensure a reliable supply,” the official said.

To manage rising demand, KPDCL continues to implement a graded curtailment schedule based on Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses. Feeders with losses below 15 percent face no load shedding, while those with 15–40 percent losses see two hours of curtailment daily. Areas with losses above 40 percent face up to four hours of cuts, while regions beyond the Loss Control Point (LCP) may experience six hours or more of scheduled outages.

“Our load management plan ensures better supply to areas with higher compliance and reduced losses. It also aims to curb power theft and improve overall efficiency,” the official added.

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC), the Union Territory is currently importing over 2,700 MW of electricity to bridge the gap between demand and local generation.

“In peak winter, hydro generation falls to nearly one-third of installed capacity because of low water flow. This compels us to depend heavily on costly power imports,” another official said.

Officials said while the record load demonstrates improved distribution capability, it also highlights the urgent need to augment local generation, optimise hydropower output and diversify into alternative energy sources to reduce long-term dependence on imports.