Power Demand Across India Grows By 25% In May: Signs Of Economy Reviving?

Only in the first week of May, the power consumption in India has increased by 25 per cent; it went up to 26.24 billion units (BU).

This is a clear indication of a healthy recovery in industrial and commercial demand of electricity.

Power Consumption Across India Grows By 25% In May
As per the data shared by the power ministry, the power consumption in India in the first week of May increased by 25 per cent over the same time last year. These are some signs that there is a steady increase in the demand for electricity in industrial and commercial sectors.

The power consumption in the first week of May last year was 21.05 BU, and the same for the entire month was 102.08 BU.

Whereas, the peak power demand during the first week of May 2021 was much above the highest record of 166.22 GW that was recorded in May 2020. The peak power demand is the highest supply in a day. The only exception was on May 2, when the record was 161.14 GW.

Peak Power Demand Breached Highest Level In May
During the first week of May 2021, the peak power demand met in a day breached the highest level of 168.78 GW (on May 6, 2021) and clocked a growth of nearly 22 per cent over 138.6 GW (peak met) that was recorded in the same period in 2020 (on May 7, 2020).

In april, the power consumption went up by 41 per cent to 119.27 BU.

As we all know, a nationwide lockdown was imposed last year in April, which might be the primary reason for the power consumption in April 2020 to drop to 84.55 BU from 110.11 BU in the same month in 2019. The lockdown that was imposed in March 2020 to curb the spread of the COVID-19 disease put a limit on the economic activities in the country.

In May 2020, the power consumption also reduced to 102.08 BU as compared to 120.02 BU in May 2019.

However, with another lockdown imposed in various parts of the country, experts have now warned that the recovery in commercial and industrial power consumption and demand will be impacted.