Electricity consumption 8216;dips8217; on Diwali

Consumers basically seek the joy of non-electrification days,during this period,8221; says Ajey Maharaj,Head,Corporate Communication at the North Delhi Power Limited.

8220;Moreover,traditional lighting methods using candles and diyas takes over electricity usage,especially on the day of Diwali,8221; he adds.

The company distributes electricity in North and North West parts of Delhi and serves a populace of 50 lakh.

Deputy General Manager,Operations at Delhi Transco Limited,V K Garg,points out factors which contribute to the lesser consumption of power on Diwali.

8220;The factories one of the major power consumers remain closed during this period. There is just a minimal load of usage that too in the evening for a few hours,which is negligible,8221; he says.

Delhi Transco Limited DTL is the state transmission utility for the National Capital Territory of Delhi and also one of the six successor companies of the Delhi Vidyut Board.

DTL has also been assigned the responsibility of running the State Load Dispatch Centre,an apex body that ensures integrated operations of power systems in Delhi.

Some experts even attribute the lesser consumption of power to the change in the weather around the period of festivities that begins in October with the Navratri festival.

8220;Apart from that,due to the onset of winters during the same period consumers do not use air conditioners or fans. So,the electricity demand is basically less during the October-November period. It again shoots up around December,when geysers and heaters become a necessity,8221; says Maharaj.

Agrees V K Garg,8221;The change in the season is also one of the important factors.8221;

A day ahead of Diwali in 2009,NDPL recorded 922 mega watt of electricity consumption. Also,a stark 1004 Mega Watt of consumption marked October 15,in the same year. Compared to them Diwali day October 17,2009 recorded electricty consumption of just 771 mega watt.

Compared to 2009,this year the power consumption is expected to stay even lower,say the top distributors.

8220;This year,November is even cooler than the last year. Therefore,the electricity consumption during Diwali is expected to reduce further,8221; says Maharaj.

Ranjeeta Booty from TERI8217;s environment education and awareness department claims with the public use of traditional ways of lighting like diyas and candles this Diwali,the electricity consumption would further head southwards.

8220;Make rangolis and say no to crackers this Diwali. For decoration,bling lights should be used as they consume lesser energy,8221; she said suggesting various measures to go green this Diwali.