The Power Development Department (PDD) is facing a shortage of nearly 500 megawatts in the Kashmir Valley, leaving residents grappling with prolonged power cuts.

An official told the Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that peak demand in the Valley is roughly 2,400 MW, but the local discom — the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (KPDCL) — has so far been able to supply only about 1,900 MW. On Sunday, the department delivered a seasonal high of 1,906 MW, with a maximum achievable capacity of around 2,000 MW.

Responding to questions about a new power curtailment schedule, the official said no such plan was under consideration, emphasising that the priority remains providing an improved and uninterrupted power supply.

He added that new receiving stations for north and south Kashmir are expected to be commissioned soon, which should help resolve existing bottlenecks and improve supply.

Commenting on unscheduled outages, the official attributed most power trips to unauthorised consumption. “People, especially in flat-rate areas, are not using power judiciously. At present, around 60 per cent of Kashmir falls under the flat-rate system,” he said.

In November, KNO reported that peak demand had crossed 1,900 MW while local generation had fallen by nearly 75 per cent. At the time, officials said the division saw a peak load of 1,925 MW, with an average of 1,566 MW over 24 hours.

In late October, officials also noted an additional 800 MW allocation from the Centre, taking total central pool supply to 1,300 MW. The Valley has also begun banking power with other States.