Dinesh Akula
The power demand in Telangana is likely to rise above 8 per cent – in the range of around 10 per cent- in the coming years. Though the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has estimated that the demand will be up by 8 per cent, based on the last few years’ growth, this will be slightly more now due to some growth drivers around Hyderabad city.
The key growth drivers are: Upcoming global capability and data centers, Musi River revival plan, Regional Ring Road and the Future City that is planned over an area of 10,000 acres close to the city. As all these projects are expected to boost industrial and commercial activity, naturally, the power demand will be up.
This is revealed by Telangana Deputy CM Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka who holds the portfolio of energy at a power point presentation at his official residence Praja Bhavan in Hyderabad on February 13, Friday night. The occasion was to highlight the achievements of the Congress government in Telangana on the power front in the last one year.
All the top brass of energy department – principal secretary Sandeep Sultania, IAS, Transco chairman and managing director Krishna Bhaskar, IAS, and two Discoms CMDs – Musharaf Ali Faruqui, IAS, of Central Po0wer Distribution Company Limited and K Varun Reddy, IAS, of Northern Power Distribution Company Limited too were present.
The Congress-led government in Telangana has started a new plan to meet the state’s rising electricity needs, blaming the previous Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) government for mismanagement. Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu, responsible for power, criticized the BRS for not speeding up essential projects, leaving the state unprepared for growing demand. He promised that the Congress government is now taking steps to ensure a reliable power supply and improve energy infrastructure.
Telangana’s peak power demand has grown from 13,168 MW in 2019-20 to 15,998 MW on February 10, 2025, with expectations to rise to 16,877 MW in the 2025 financial year, an 8% increase. 2030 demand could reach 24,215 MW, highlighting the need for quick infrastructure growth. Bhatti Vikramarka emphasized that the Congress government values efficiency. “The last government talked a lot about its power plans, but its failures are clear in the delays of major projects,” he stated.
YTPS delayed due to BRS failure
The Yadadri Thermal Power Station (YTPS) is a key example. Its construction began in 2015 but missed deadlines due to poor coordination with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Environmental clearance was suspended by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in September 2022, halting progress. “The BRS government did nothing to fix these problems. After taking over, we moved quickly to get approvals and speed up construction,” he added.
Hyderabad global hub for data centers
As Hyderabad becomes a hub for global companies like Amazon and Microsoft, electricity use is rising. The Future City Initiative spans 10,800 acres, and development along the Musi River will increase demand. The government’s Summer Action Plan 2025 addresses this by adding 19 high-capacity power transformers in high-demand areas. Hyderabad’s power demand grew from 3,158 MW in 2022 to 4,352 MW in 2024 (15% increase) and is expected to reach 5,043 MW in 2025 (16% increase), with a longer-term goal of 9,089 MW by 2030.
To improve power reliability, the government has deployed emergency response vehicles with thermal vision cameras, mobile transformers, and restoration tools. Changes to the 1912 power helpline include tripling the staff, increasing call centres to 400, and reducing wait times.
Bhatti Vikramarka mentioned planned projects, including a 2×800 MW thermal plant near the Naini coal block in Odisha, where regulatory issues have been resolved after meeting with the Odisha Chief Minister. Telangana GENCO also looks into hydropower projects in Himachal Pradesh using the Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) model.
“The last government left behind stalled projects and a power crisis. We are implementing real solutions to meet future demand,” Bhatti Vikramarka assured.
