Jammu Kashmir Records 20,040 Million Units Power Demand in 2023-24, Supply Gap Falls to 1.4 Per Cent | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir recorded an electricity requirement of 20,040 million units during 2023-24, of which 19,763 million units were supplied, resulting in a shortfall of about 277 million units or 1.4 per cent, the Union Government informed the Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Replying to an unstarred question, Minister of State for Power Shripad Naik said power supply in States and Union Territories has largely remained commensurate with demand, with only marginal gaps arising mainly from transmission and distribution constraints.

Data placed before Parliament shows that in 2022-23, Jammu and Kashmir had an energy requirement of 19,639 million units and received 19,322 million units, leaving a deficit of 317 million units or 1.6 per cent. The figures indicate a reduction in the supply gap over the two-year period.

At the national level, electricity consumption has increased by around 12.4 per cent over the past three years. The Minister said energy supplied has remained nearly equivalent to requirement, with minor deficits largely attributable to last-mile network issues rather than generation shortages.

To meet rising demand, the government has prepared long-term generation and storage plans under the National Electricity Plan. Installed capacity is projected to reach 874 gigawatts by 2031-32. States, in consultation with the Central Electricity Authority, have drawn up rolling 10-year resource adequacy plans for capacity addition and procurement.

The Centre is adding capacity across thermal, hydro, nuclear and renewable sources, while pumped storage projects and battery energy storage systems are being developed to manage peak demand. Transmission infrastructure is also being expanded through new inter- and intra-state lines and substations. Incentives including waiver of inter-state transmission charges for renewable projects, development of green energy corridors and solar park schemes have been introduced to facilitate faster integration of clean energy.