Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan power demand significantly up; Gujarat, Maharashtra lag behind
A state-wise analysis showed that the consumption of electricity in states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan has increased over last year- in both peak-hour demand and energy consumed per day terms
NEW DELHI: Agricultural and domestic consumers in north India are pushing India’s electricity demand to last year’s level amid the Covid-19 pandemic, while industrial states like Gujarat and Maharashtra wait for further easing of lockdown restrictions.
The demand for electricity is inching closer to last year’s level but experts believe it is mostly due to hot weather conditions, particularly in plains of northern India.
A state-wise analysis showed that the consumption of electricity in states like Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan has increased over last year- in both peak-hour demand and energy consumed per day terms, a quick comparison between electricity demand (both peak-hour and energy met) on May 26 this year with May 24, 2019—a corresponding working day last year – and average demand in the week of May 20-26, 2019.
For example, the peak hour demand in Punjab rose by about 14.4% to 8,097-mw on May 26 this year from 7073-mw on May 24, 2019—a corresponding working day last year. The energy consumed was 14% higher at 184 MUs on May 26 this year against 161 MUs on the corresponding day last year. The growth in demand is much higher than average of 152 MUs registered in the third week of May last year.
However, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu lagged behind as industries are yet to operate on a full scale. Demand for electricity in Andhra Pradesh is closer to last year.
The union territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli posted the maximum reduction in power consumption at 48% in energy terms this month over corresponding period last year. This is followed by Daman & Diu at about 37% less energy consumption.
Haryana has posted 2-3% rise in electricity consumption, while Rajasthan posted about 5% increase in the fourth phase of the lockdown. Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are closer to last year’s electricity demand level.
India’s energy consumption on May 26 was 3775 million units, against 4,091 MUs about 7.7% less than May 24, 2019. The maximum demand met during May 26 2020 was 166 Gw against 170 GW around the same time last year.
The electricity demand is likely to achieve last year’s level once the lockdown restrictions are eased. Most industries are operating at low scale while the commercial units still are not functional.
Industrial demand on power exchange is substantially low than the average level but is still about 4-5 times after lockdown restrictions have been eased. Prices on India Energy Exchange have been in the range of Rs 2.4 – Rs 2.5 per unit since March.
Source: energy.economictimes.indiatimes
