Power demand in State expected to exceed 19,000 MW by 2026: Navin Mittal

Principal Secretary (Energy) Navin Mittal said for the upcoming 2026 Rabi/Summer seasons, the State’s power demand is projected to exceed 19,000 MW, and instructed Chief Engineers and Superintending Engineers to complete all planned line repairs, installation of new transformers and other developmental works by December.

At a review meeting with senior officials at the Southern Power Distribution Company (TGSPDCL), he stated that despite the maximum power demand reaching 17,162 MW this year, the electricity supply remained stable and uninterrupted thanks to proactive measures taken by the utilities as per government directives.

Given the expected surge in demand, 72 new substations will be established under Southern DISCOM and 31 under Northern DISCOM. Under TRANSCO, the capacity of transformers at 181 EHT substations is being enhanced. Additionally, 8,384 new distribution transformers will be installed under Southern DISCOM, and 5,280 under Northern DISCOM, along with expansion of kV lines and PTR capacities at kV substations.

He said BTPS and KTPS-IV units were nearing completion and all units of the Yadadri Thermal Power Station will become operational within a few months, adding 4,000 MW of generation capacity. Singareni CMD Balaram said that coal production currently stands at 1.8 million tonnes per day, and will reach 2.2 million tonnes per day by November with sufficient supply to thermal plants to meet Rabi and Summer season demands.

Mr. Mittal urged government organisations to take full advantage of the incentives for setting up EV charging stations under the PM-eDrive initiative and raise awareness accordingly. He directed the utilities and TGREDCO to work jointly towards making Hyderabad the EV hub of India.

TGSPDCL CMD Musharaf Faruqui reported that under the ongoing EV infrastructure survey, 3,121 potential locations for EV charging stations have been identified as of October 25, and this number is likely to increase. Krishna Bhaskar, CMD, TGTRANSCO; Harish, CMD, TGGENCO; Varun Reddy, CMD, TGNPDCL and Anila, Managing Director of TGREDCO were present.