Delhi braces for 9,000 MW power surge with AI tools, emergency crews

Time of India

24-05-2025

With Delhi's power demand expected to reach a record
9
,000 MW this summer, surpassing last year's peak of 8,656 MW, Delhi govt has directed discoms to be fully prepared to handle the surge.
Officials said that discoms have been told to work on four fronts: anticipating demand, ensuring preparedness, arranging supply, managing demand, and handling faults and redundancy.
The officials highlighted the crucial role of Rajasthan's
Rawatbhata nuclear power plant
in meeting the growing energy requirements. "There are sufficient power tie-ups through long-term, medium-term, and short-term purchase agreements aligned with load projections to meet the
9,000 MW peak demand
," they said, adding, "To manage sudden spikes, power will also be sourced from power exchanges."
To enhance demand forecasting, discoms have been instructed to adopt advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, enabling accurate predictions vital for reliable power supply. Additionally, quick response teams (QRTs) are to be kept ready for emergencies, especially during extreme weather events like thunderstorms, to restore power promptly.
Recently, discom BSES faced widespread damage across south, west, east, and central Delhi due to severe storms. Around 60 electric poles were broken or severely damaged, and around 10 transformers or substation parts (including LT Air Circuit Breakers and transformers) sustained damage due to falling trees or debris. Overhead cables and conductors were affected in many locations, resulting in temporary outages across multiple neighbourhoods. At many sites, large trees uprooted by the storm fell on electric lines, poles, and substations, obstructing roads and delaying access for emergency repair teams, said sources.
A discom official said, "Despite the extensive damage, BSES activated its emergency protocols and restoration plans within minutes of the storm. QRTs were deployed with insulated tools and safety equipment. Weather alerts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) were closely monitored, allowing pre-positioning of teams and coordination with agencies like PWD, MCD, and horticulture departments for swift tree removal."
In areas like Karawal Nagar, Maujpur, and Kardampuri, repairs to high and low tension Air Breaker circuits were completed following damage caused by fallen trees. In Tata Power DDL's jurisdiction, 13 high tension and 43 low tension poles were broken, with 257 trees and 187 service lines affected. The outages impacted areas including Civil Lines, Wazirabad, Dheerpur, Model Town, Gulabi Bagh, Delhi University, and Burari.
TPDDL said power was restored through alternate sources in most areas except Civil Lines, Wazirabad, Dheerpur, Indra Vihar, and Model Town, where overloading of alternate sources delayed restoration..