West Bengal’s Peak Power Demand Crosses 10,000 MW

West Bengal’s power infrastructure is being tested to its limits today as the statewide peak demand officially crossed the 10,000 MW mark for the first time in history. The relentless use of air conditioners and cooling systems during the heatwave, combined with the power required for polling booths and election machinery, has pushed the WBSEDCL (West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd) into a state of high alert.

While the state remains “power-surplus” in terms of generation, the aging distribution network is struggling to handle the load. Significant “transformer blowouts” were reported last night in the Shyambazar and Dum Dum areas, leading to prolonged blackouts. The Power Ministry has directed all thermal plants at Bakreswar and Kolaghat to operate at 105% capacity to prevent a “Grid Collapse.”

The ECI has issued a strict directive to the power utility: “Zero Load Shedding” during the 48-hour polling window. Any power failure at a polling station or an EVM strongroom will be treated as a “security breach.” To mitigate the risk, over 5,000 diesel generators have been stationed across the 152 constituencies voting today. The situation underscores the urgent need for a “Smart Grid” upgrade in the state, a project that has been stalled due to budgetary constraints for the last three years.