Kashmir

KPDCL to increase power curtailment by 2 to 2.5 hours

SRINAGAR — The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) Thursday said it will temporarily increase power curtailment by 2 to 2.5 hours in view of drastic reduction in power generation amidst the prolonged spell in the Valley.

The KPDCL however, said that it will revert back to previous curtailment once the sufficient power is restored.

KPDCL in a post on X said, “This is for the information of the general public that due to a drastic reduction in power generation resulting in reduced availability of power, KPDCL shall be forced to temporarily increase the curtailment by 2 to 2.5 hours across Kashmir Valley during peak hours.”

Earlier this week, news agency KNO reported that in view of dry spell, the power generation capacity in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to get impacted and the Power Development Department (PDD) may fall in distress like situation in the upcoming summer and winter seasons.

Principal Secretary, Power Development Department (PDD) H Rajesh Prasad had said, “The ongoing long dry spell will likely have an impact on power generation in the upcoming summer and winter season.”

“If weather situation remains the same, I think we will be in distress in upcoming summer and winter seasons. If it persists, the problem won’t end in the summer season only; this will affect more in the next winter season wherein we usually face water shortage,” Prasad said.

In December-2023, the agency also reported that the power generation capacity from Jammu and Kashmir has reduced by nearly 85 percent due to the water shortage.

From across the region, the total power generation capacity is 1200 Megawatts.

The Principal Secretary of PDD had said that there was a huge shortfall of power generation from the Union Territory pool.

“From state pool, we have a power generation capacity of 1200 MWs. However, due to the shortage of water in December-2023, we are generating only 150MWs during the ongoing winters,” Prasad said. — (KNO)