Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala govt has asked all departments, public sector undertakings and organisations under their control to implement demand-side management measures amid a sharp rise in electricity consumption in the state.In a circular issued on Sept 23, the power department said daily electricity consumption had touched 95.39 million units in Sept, with peak demand reaching 5,400 MW. The highest demand was generally recorded between 7pm and midnight, it said.Govt has identified 9am to 4pm as solar hours and asked departments and agencies to shift pumping activities and other energy-intensive operations to this period, wherever technically feasible. Industries with shift-based operations have also been encouraged to move energy-intensive processes to off-peak or solar hours.The circular directed departments and institutions to operate air-conditioners at a temperature setting of 25°C or above and minimise unnecessary illumination and lighting loads. It also called for the promotion of BLDC (Brushless Direct Current) fans, which generally consume less electricity than conventional fans, along with energy-efficient lighting and other energy-efficient electrical equipment.The operation of pump sets, including irrigation pumps, washing machines, geysers and water heaters, induction cookers and other high-load appliances should, as far as possible, be shifted to solar hours and avoided during peak hours, the circular said. Electric vehicle charging has also been advised during solar hours and avoided during peak-demand hours, wherever feasible.Govt has directed all departments and heads of institutions to issue immediate instructions for strict observance of the measures and promote voluntary reduction in electricity use during peak hours. They have also been asked to support demand-side management awareness campaigns conducted by KSEB and the Energy Management Centre.
