India’s power consumption fell 4.7% to 144.2 billion units in August
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India’s power consumption fell 4.7 percent to 144.21 billion units (BU) in August compared to the same period last year, mainly due to above-average rainfall in the country, which led to lower usage of cooling equipment such as air conditioners and desert coolers.
According to the India Meteorological Department, August saw 287.1 mm of rain, about 16 percent more than the normal 248.1 mm.
According to official data, electricity consumption in August 2023 was 151.32 BU.
The highest daily supply (peak power demand met) also fell to 216.68 GW in August 2024, compared to 236.29 GW in the same month a year earlier.
Peak power demand reached a record high of around 250 GW in May this year. The previous peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023.
Earlier this year, the Department of Energy forecast peak demand of 235 GW during the day and 225 GW during the evening for May and 240 GW during the day and 235 GW during the evening for June.
The ministry also estimates that peak electricity demand this summer could reach 260 GW.
According to experts, the higher than normal rainfall led to fewer cooling equipment, such as air conditioners and desert coolers, being used.
This led to a drop in power consumption and growth in power demand in the country in August, the researchers said.
Electricity demand and consumption will remain stable in the coming days due to improvement in commercial and industrial consumption in the country with the start of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival season this month, they added.
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First publication: 01 Sep 2024 | 18:02 IST