According to the report of the Center for Science and Environment (CSE), the electricity demand is increasing in Delhi due to climate change. According to the report, due to climate change, there has been a change in the rainfall pattern, due to which the relative humidity and heat index of Delhi has increased.
This is the reason why people in Delhi now have to use AC coolers for more days than before. CSE researchers say these local trends match the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the global body of leading climate scientists.
The IPCC's Sixth Assessment Report (AR6 WG-I) reports that the extent of extreme heat, including heatwaves, has increased in urban centers, with air temperatures several degrees warmer than surrounding areas, especially at night. during. The IPCC has warned that the urban warming effect could increase local temperatures by two degrees Celsius, reducing the adaptive capacity of cities and increasing risks. Due to climate change, cities are becoming so hot and humid that they are not able to cool adequately even during the night, leading to severe thermal discomfort. As a result, the electricity demand is increasing.
CSE Executive Director Anumita Roychowdhury says the average daily peak electricity demand in the monsoon period in 2023 is the highest since real-time electricity load monitoring began in Delhi in 2018. According to Roychowdhury, Delhi's electricity demand is closely related to the external temperature and humidity conditions. Demand is at its lowest during February and October when the outdoor heat index ranges between 17.5–22.5 °C (daily average).
The CSE report said that with each degree increase in heat index, power demand in the city increases by 140-150 MW. This highlights that Delhi is consuming more electricity at night due to the changing nature of heat in the city. Night-time electricity demand is closely related to outdoor temperature and humidity conditions. The report said that for every degree increase in outdoor heat index above 22.5 degrees Celsius, night-time electricity demand increases by 190-200 MW, which is about a third more than the daytime rate.
(PC: Freepik)
