New Delhi (Agency): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently stated that a rapid increase in demand for electricity has caught the state government by surprise. This happened on the first day of the autumn session of the Assam state assembly, where the chief minister was responding to an adjournment motion about the state’s electricity situation.
According to Sarma, peak hour electricity demand has seen a sharp rise, going from 1,600 MW in 2018-19 to 1,970 MW in 2022-23. “For the first time, the state saw such a huge increase in demand, which touched 2,500 MW this year. Even I do not know what happened; it caught us off-guard,” said Sarma. He further predicts that the peak hour demand could reach 3,000 MW next year and 4,000 MW by 2026.
The Chief Minister shared that one possible reason for the spike might be the “people’s prosperity” along with “increased business activities.” He also mentioned that as more industries plan to open factories in Assam, the demand is expected to increase further.
Currently, Assam has its own electricity generation capacity of about 400 MW. To fill the gap, Sarma stated that the government is signing new contracts with various power generation companies. However, he also noted that considering a coal-based plant in Margherita is complicated due to environmental concerns.
To meet immediate requirements, Sarma revealed that the state has procured additional power at regular rates. Also, “there are no more scheduled power cuts anymore,” ensuring that the gap has been temporarily filled with help from the central government.
In the same discussion, Congress MLA Bharat Chandra Narah suggested that the government should procure power from an open source to meet the demand. He pointed out that the government has funds for various schemes and some could be used to provide electricity during peak hours.
Sarma defended the state’s electricity situation, claiming it to be better than most Congress-ruled states. He stopped short of blaming the opposition for not investing in power generation during their tenure in Assam.
The government’s rapid response to the situation indicates a level of urgency, but the long-term solutions for Assam’s growing electricity needs remain a challenge that will require thoughtful planning and execution.