Kolkata’s peak power demand for Durga Puja to rise marginally

Kolkata: Thanks to LED bulbs, in wider use for their low power usage, the peak demand of electricity during the upcoming Durga Puja festivities here will see an increase of only 50 MW in comparison to 186 MW last year, it was officially estimated.

While the peak demand for power during the Durga Puja days last year rose by 11.17 percent in comparison to 2013, this year's peak demand is estimated to rise by only 2.7 percent in comparison to 2014.

"This is because of the increased usage of LED bulbs," Sanjiv Goenka, the chairman of RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group-owned CESC, told mediapersons on Thursday.

CESC is the sole electricity supplier here.

The peak demand of power in the city's festive days stood at 1,664 MW in 2013, which climbed to 1,850 MW last year. However, this year, the estimated peak demand is 1,900 MW.

He said the percentage increase in peak demand for power has come down despite an increase in temporary power connections to 3,780 puja pandals. Last year, the company had provided similar connections to 3,715 such makeshift pandals.

Nevertheless, the power demand from the top ten puja pandals has increased this year.

According to estimates of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka group company, against a total consumption of 1,306 KW last year, this year, the city's top ten puja committees are estimated to consume 1,626 KW.

"The total power demand from puja pandals this year is estimated at 41.8 lakh units as compared to 41.4 lakh units last year, Goenka said.

Like other years, the company will also be conducting drives across the puja pandals to check for pilferage and unauthorised connections.

Goenka said CESC is fully geared to meet the city's power demand during the festive days.

(IANS)