Industries in Gujarat are facing scheduled power cuts as the state struggles to meet record electricity demand. In South Gujarat, Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) has announced eight hours of load shedding, from 4 pm to midnight, on designated industrial feeders. The cut falls on each feeder's weekly "stagger day", the day already set aside for that feeder's weekly shutdown, and DGVCL has said it may continue until the supply situation returns to normal.
Similar cuts have been announced in Saurashtra. Paschim Gujarat Vij Company (PGVCL) is cutting industrial supply from 4 pm to 11 pm on the weekly staggering day in districts such as Jamnagar, Rajkot, Morbi and Surendranagar. Cuts have also been reported in industrial belts including Vapi, Sanand and Dahej.
Why power is short
- Record demand: Gujarat's peak demand hit 29,822 MW on 16 October 2026, about 37% higher than in October last year, according to the state government.
- Evening gap: solar power, which covers a large share of daytime demand, falls to zero after sunset, and wind generation has been lower than expected.
- Weather and farm load: a late-October heatwave and weak monsoon have kept irrigation pumps running, and farm feeders are being given priority to protect crops.
- Fuel: industry bodies also point to costlier coal and gas linked to global tensions.
What the government says
After a review meeting on 17 October chaired by Energy Minister Rushikesh Patel, the state said adequate arrangements were in place and that demand should ease as the weather changes. It has bought additional power for October to December, secured extra allocation from central pools, and been assured 10–11 coal rakes a day, rising in November. Reports say 31 idle power plants have been told to restart within 10 days. The government has also asked consumers to avoid heavy use between 5 pm and 11 pm.
Industry pushback
The Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) has opposed the 4 pm–midnight timing. President Ashok Jirawala said the chamber was not consulted, that the cut hits both day and night shifts during the Diwali order season, and that about 25 lakh workers depend on South Gujarat's industries. SGCCI has written to the Chief Minister asking for the cut to be moved to 7 pm–7 am. Reports suggest the timing is still being discussed, so units should expect changes.
The Navsari GIDC Industries Association says members have been advised to start work early in the morning or move operations to night hours.