Bhubaneswar, June 4 -- Energy analyst Anand Mohapatra has strongly contested Odisha Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo's recent remarks linking frequent power outages in the state largely to the increasing use of air conditioners (ACs).
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mohapatra said the minister's comments have triggered widespread debate, particularly at a time when air conditioners are increasingly becoming a necessity for people to cope with extreme summer temperatures.
While acknowledging that air conditioners significantly increase household electricity consumption, Mohapatra argued that data on electricity usage does not support the claim that excessive AC use is responsible for the state's power disruptions.
He pointed out...