Mumbai's power demand surges with EV charging stations, new Metro Lines

11 Jul 2023 CW Team

Experts in the power sector have emphasised the need for the government to prioritise ongoing projects for transmission corridors to bring additional power to the city. One such project, the 400 KV Kharghar-Vikhroli line by Adani Transmission, is nearing completion and is expected to supply 1,000MW to Mumbai by the end of the year. Experts suggest that all necessary clearances and support should be provided to expedite the progress of other transmission corridor projects, such as the Kudus Aarey transmission corridor by Adani Transmission (1,000MW) and the Mumbai Urja Marg by Sterlite Power (2,000MW).

Mumbai's peak power demand has reached 4,129MW and is projected to rise to 5,000MW by 2025, necessitating the development of additional transmission corridors to meet the growing demand. An official from Adani Electricity, which serves over 60 per cent of the city's consumers, highlighted that Mumbai's embedded power generation currently stands at 1,800MW, with the remaining demand being sourced from the National Grid. However, the existing transmission corridors have limited capacity, approximately 2,200 MW.

Ashok Pendse, a power expert, cautioned against complacency, emphasising the urgency of procuring additional power from external sources. He stressed the importance of prioritising the construction of new transmission corridors. Pendse also recommended strengthening the state's primary transmission network, highlighting the previous incidents of blackouts in Mumbai caused by tripped state feeders in Talegaon.

Sanjay Banga, the President of Tata Power's Transmission and Distribution division, acknowledged the unprecedented growth in Mumbai's power demand. He recognised the significance of emerging consumer segments, including EV charging stations, Metro Railways, and data centres. These segments have contributed to a surge in overall demand, and Tata Power has effectively managed the load through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) totalling 1,400MW.

An Adani Electricity spokesperson confirmed that the electricity consumption of metro lines currently serviced by them is 20MW, expected to rise to approximately 80MW in the coming years. Regarding their electric vehicle charging stations, the demand is projected to increase from 50MW to over 200MW in the next few years. Adani Electricity assured that they are well-prepared to meet the escalating demand from electric vehicles and mass transit systems through sustainable and competitive electricity supply.

Devanand Pallikuth, the head of the Power System Control Centre at Tata Power, stated that overnight EV charging, commonly observed in various housing societies, poses no issues as the peak demand is typically low at night. However, he emphasised the need to consider the power consumption during the daytime for public and private EV charging, as well as the operation of new metro corridors.

A member of Urja Prabodhan Kendra, a power sector think-tank, A V Shenoy, expressed that with the significant increase in EV registrations across Mumbai over the past few years, there will undoubtedly be a rise in the overall power demand. He asserted that it is the government's responsibility to fortify the transmission grid's system and infrastructure to facilitate the transmission of more power to Mumbai.

Pendse added that apart from EVs and the Metro, the general annual rise in power demand of 4 per cent to 5 per cent can be attributed to new power connections in new housing colonies, commercial establishments, malls, and shops throughout Mumbai.

The power demand in Mumbai is consistently increasing, and recent estimates indicate that the installation of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations and the introduction of new Metro lines within a year will result in a 150MW surge in demand.Experts in the power sector have emphasised the need for the government to prioritise ongoing projects for transmission corridors to bring additional power to the city. One such project, the 400 KV Kharghar-Vikhroli line by Adani Transmission, is nearing completion and is expected to supply 1,000MW to Mumbai by the end of the year. Experts suggest that all necessary clearances and support should be provided to expedite the progress of other transmission corridor projects, such as the Kudus Aarey transmission corridor by Adani Transmission (1,000MW) and the Mumbai Urja Marg by Sterlite Power (2,000MW).Mumbai's peak power demand has reached 4,129MW and is projected to rise to 5,000MW by 2025, necessitating the development of additional transmission corridors to meet the growing demand. An official from Adani Electricity, which serves over 60 per cent of the city's consumers, highlighted that Mumbai's embedded power generation currently stands at 1,800MW, with the remaining demand being sourced from the National Grid. However, the existing transmission corridors have limited capacity, approximately 2,200 MW.Ashok Pendse, a power expert, cautioned against complacency, emphasising the urgency of procuring additional power from external sources. He stressed the importance of prioritising the construction of new transmission corridors. Pendse also recommended strengthening the state's primary transmission network, highlighting the previous incidents of blackouts in Mumbai caused by tripped state feeders in Talegaon.Sanjay Banga, the President of Tata Power's Transmission and Distribution division, acknowledged the unprecedented growth in Mumbai's power demand. He recognised the significance of emerging consumer segments, including EV charging stations, Metro Railways, and data centres. These segments have contributed to a surge in overall demand, and Tata Power has effectively managed the load through Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) totalling 1,400MW.An Adani Electricity spokesperson confirmed that the electricity consumption of metro lines currently serviced by them is 20MW, expected to rise to approximately 80MW in the coming years. Regarding their electric vehicle charging stations, the demand is projected to increase from 50MW to over 200MW in the next few years. Adani Electricity assured that they are well-prepared to meet the escalating demand from electric vehicles and mass transit systems through sustainable and competitive electricity supply.Devanand Pallikuth, the head of the Power System Control Centre at Tata Power, stated that overnight EV charging, commonly observed in various housing societies, poses no issues as the peak demand is typically low at night. However, he emphasised the need to consider the power consumption during the daytime for public and private EV charging, as well as the operation of new metro corridors.A member of Urja Prabodhan Kendra, a power sector think-tank, A V Shenoy, expressed that with the significant increase in EV registrations across Mumbai over the past few years, there will undoubtedly be a rise in the overall power demand. He asserted that it is the government's responsibility to fortify the transmission grid's system and infrastructure to facilitate the transmission of more power to Mumbai.Pendse added that apart from EVs and the Metro, the general annual rise in power demand of 4 per cent to 5 per cent can be attributed to new power connections in new housing colonies, commercial establishments, malls, and shops throughout Mumbai.

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