After two major power failures in October 2020 and February 2022 in Mumbai, the state government has finally cleared the implementation of 80 km +/-320 kV high voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission line between Kudus and Aarey Colony to be built by Adani Electricity Mumbai Infra (AEMI).
Amid soaring temperatures, Mumbaikars may lose the luxury of 24x7 power supply. This is in the wake of rapidly increasing power demand and transmission constraints in the evacuation of power from outside. Mumbai's peak demand was recorded at 3,820 mw on Friday, 3,851 mw on Thursday, 3,807 mw on Wednesday, 3,616 mw on Tuesday and 3,633 mw on Monday.
However not that such a hike will take place immediately. The power distribution companies will have to make a detailed presentation to the quasi-judicial body of the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC) citing the reasons for the hike.
The state-run Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MahaVitaran) with a consumer base of 3 crores is bleeding as its arrears, debt and liabilities are increasing against its revenue realization.