Jaipur: It is not just the summer demand that the state’s power sector is preparing for; an LPG shortage is now adding a fresh bout of pressure. With households, hotels, restaurants and roadside eateries turning to induction stoves and electric cookers in the absence of gas, electricity consumption is expected to rise sharply alongside the seasonal surge from cooling appliances.Energy minister Hiralal Nagar reviewed preparations with senior officials Tuesday, directing them to ensure uninterrupted supply during the peak months.“This year, the intensity of heat is likely to be greater. Officials must anticipate the rise in demand and guarantee adequate availability of power,” he said.Nagar urged the department to secure allocations from the central pool, recalling that last year the Union govt sanctioned up to 750 MW during summer, which helped stabilise supply. He also instructed that tenders for short-term purchases from the exchange be finalised well in advance.Additional chief secretary (Energy) Ajitabh Sharma analysed projections of average demand and availability between April and Sept. He also highlighted the tenders for short-term exchange purchases in April and May to meet peak-time power deficits.Officials said it is likely that the LPG shortage will push more consumers towards electricity for cooking, compounding the seasonal spike.Hotels and restaurants, which traditionally rely on LPG, are installing induction cookers, while dhabas are experimenting with electric set-ups. This shift is expected to significantly raise the load curve, making uninterrupted supply even more critical.Jodhpur discom also shared a plan to use energy storage systems at select substations to provide agricultural consumers with power in 2 daytime blocks.Senior officials from all three distribution companies and the transmission corporation attended the meeting.
