Srinagar, Oct 10: As temperatures begin to dip across the northern region, the Ministry of Power (MoP) has projected a significant power shortfall for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh during October, warning of a widening gap between demand and availability.
According to the ministry’s latest estimates, the two Union Territories are expected to require a peak load of 3,470 megawatts (MW) this month. However, the available power is likely to reach only 2,490 MW, leaving a deficit of nearly 980 MW at a time when energy demand typically surges with the onset of cold weather.
The ministry’s statement on the anticipated supply position for the northern grid in October noted that officials from Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir State Load Dispatch Centres (SLDCs) have assured that the shortfall in Jammu and Kashmir would be mitigated through real-time power exchanges.
Meanwhile, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has expressed concern over the rising consumption patterns in the Valley. Managing Director Mahmood Ahmad Shah said the corporation has made considerable strides in improving supply reliability compared to previous years. “This year so far, KPDCL has provided improved power supply to our consumers. Besides, a lot of improvement has been made in the discom in comparison to the previous year,” Shah stated.
Officials revealed that the distribution network has witnessed an additional demand of about 200 MW in just the past two days, reflecting a steep rise as temperatures fall across Kashmir. The corporation, they said, is working to manage the deficit through internal measures and coordination with central agencies.
The approaching winter is expected to further strain the already stressed power infrastructure, with authorities bracing for heightened consumer demand in the coming weeks.
