By BW CFO World Online Bureau
India’s power consumption rose to 129.51 billion units making it rise 18.6% from the previous level of consumption
India’s power consumption grew 18.6% to 129.51 Billion Units (BU) and recorded higher values than pre-covid levels due to improved economic activities and easing of lockdown by states. India’s power consumption stood at 109.21 BU, lower than 111.52 BU in the same month in 2019. Experts say that the recovery and consumption are consistent as well as robust in 2021. Recovery is expected to further improve as many states have eased the restrictions.
However, the possibility of a third wave still presents a threat to recovery in power consumption and demand. While the commercial and industrial power demand and consumption were affected from April onwards this year due to lockdown restrictions, fear of another wave resulting in lockdown restrictions and will impact commercial and industrial demand for power in the country, according to experts. Peak power demand met or the highest supply in a day stood at 196.24 GW in August, which is 17.1 per cent higher compared to a year ago.
With the second wave of COVID-19 starting in the middle of April this year, it affected the recovery of commercial and industrial power demand as states started imposing restrictions in the latter part of the month. Power consumption in the country witnessed 6.6 per cent year-on-year growth in May this year at 108.80 BU despite a low base of 102.08 BU in the same month of 2020.
As per the latest data, power consumption in June grew nearly 9 per cent to 114.48 BU, compared to 105.08 BU in the same month last year. Power consumption in July this year grew nearly 9.4 per cent to 123.72 BU compared to 112.14BU in the same month a year ago.
(PTI)