Dehradun: A high-level review meeting was held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan regarding the rising electricity demand in the state and ensuring uninterrupted power supply. Considering the expected increase in demand during May and June, instructions were given to take concrete steps for additional power management. The Chief Secretary directed officials to ensure all necessary arrangements in advance so that consumers receive uninterrupted electricity supply.
During the meeting, Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) presented that due to heatwaves, limited gas availability, reduced water levels, and increasing demand, pressure on the power system has risen. In the current financial year, an average demand growth of 5% has been recorded, while the use of induction cookers and other appliances has added an extra load of 50 to 100 MW on the system.
It was noted that on April 24, 2026, the country recorded a peak power demand of 252 GW, while Uttarakhand recorded 2646 MW, both at record levels. Despite this challenging situation, UPCL is maintaining supply balance through advance power procurement, load management, real-time monitoring, and grid coordination.
The Chief Secretary directed the preparation of a solid strategy for additional power management. With the efforts of the state government, the central government has assured an additional 150 MW of power from the central pool. Arrangements for advance power purchase through energy exchanges have also been ensured.
The meeting also discussed possibilities of power cooperation with Himachal Pradesh under a banking arrangement. UPCL assured consumers that all necessary steps are being taken to maintain smooth and quality power supply despite challenging conditions. Consumers were also urged to use electricity responsibly during peak hours.
Senior officials including Principal Secretary R. Meenakshi Sundaram and officials from the Energy Department and UPCL were present in the meeting.
