Gurgaon’s power demand up by 80 lakh units in nine days

Gurgaon: A deepening LPG shortage has triggered a rise in electricity consumption across Gurgaon, with officials attributing it to households, eateries and small industries shifting towards induction cooktops and other electric appliances.Power data shows the city's daily electricity use rose from 269.8 lakh units on March 6 to 350 lakh units on March 15, an increase of over 80 lakh units in just nine days. However, it should also be noted that February and March have been unusually warm this year, with temperatures already going beyond the 35°C threshold. With a harsh summer approaching, officials warned that continued dependence on electric cooking, coupled with rising temperatures, could place further strain on the city's power grid, though the utility has assured uninterrupted supply.A spokesperson from Dakshin Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (DHBVN) confirmed that both urban and rural consumers, as well as industries, are drawing more power due to the non-availability of LPG."Consumers are increasingly shifting to induction and electric cookers. Since there are no power cuts and supply is adequate, electricity usage is rising further," the spokesperson said.Markets in the city reported an unprecedented surge in demand for induction cooktops, with several stores running out of stock."The demand for electric cooking equipment increased manifold, and there is a huge gap between demand and supply. Everyone wants to have at least one electric cooking stove," said an electronic shop owner in Sector 14.The data reflects a clear upward trend as LPG shortages continue to alter energy consumption patterns in the city. Officials caution that with temperatures expected to rise in coming weeks, electricity demand will peak. If the LPG crisis is not resolved soon, the surge in domestic and industrial power dependence could place an additional burden.