Dr Asangba Tzudir
Fans and Air conditioners switched into action especially in Dimapur and adjoining districts are signs that the summer is here, and it is only natural that the winter will make way for summer. However, every year as summer sets in, denizens’ question – How hot will this year’s heat be? And news is not cool. IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) has warned of an exceptionally hot summer ahead with rising temperatures expected across the country where the forecast is six to ten heat wave days from April to June, potentially increasing to ten to eleven by June.
The start itself has been unusually hot where the month of march itself saw several states ‘breaching’ the 40 Degree Celsius mark and which has been attributed to insufficient Western disturbances and of course the impact caused by global warming and climate change. It is considered a heatwave when the temperature exceeds 40 degree Celsius and are 4.5 to 6.5 degree Celsius above normal. From the point of frequency, intensity and duration of the heatwaves, it is a cause of concern. The only redeeming feature being that April rainfall is expected to be normal.
In 2023, the State’s power availability was reported to be around 147 MW out of a peak demand of 180 MW. Nagaland continues to grapple with a significant disparity between its demand and supply. By September 2024, the demand reached 211 MW and only 69% of the demand could be met. Even for this, the state has to rely heavily on external sources which underscore the urgent need to develop the local generating projects. However, the local generating sources present a very sorry state having plagued by different issues and challenges. For now the supply deficit results in frequent load shedding which is not so melodious considering the exceptionally hot summer ahead as reported by IMD.
Population increase, rapid urbanization, township growth and the drastic increase in electricity consumption which is also aided by the running of high energy consuming electrical appliances like Air conditioners only adds to the electricity demand and increased consumption leading to load shedding woes. While the state has to rely on external sources, the electricity demand is said to increase to 360 MW by the year 2023.
Easier said than done, nonetheless, development of electricity in the state requires a multifaceted approach which includes enhancing local generation capacity by way of its revival and development; investing in renewable energy sources, and also improves the transmission and distribution infrastructure to ensure some form of stability. Then, as a short term measure it is necessary to strictly enforce the electricity installation regulation where large buildings or complexes or apartments that requires 20 KVA and above should not be provided new connection unless they install their own transformer.
It is very true that ‘electricity saved is electricity created’ and the general public must also understand the state’s electricity demand deficit situation by conserving as much as possible, and which can be done without much effort like every household in Nagaland reducing a bulb, or switch over to LED bulbs, or turning off lights when not in use, minimize use of electrical appliances like induction, turn off and also unplug devices when not in use. A little change in our daily habits and attitude can create small changes which will automatically lead to significant electricity savings.
The hot summer ahead also calls upon the citizens to act responsibly and use electricity judiciously and save as much as possible especially when the State has to largely depend on external sources.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
