In a notable uptick, India’s power consumption soared by more than 8% to reach 127.79 Billion Units (BU) in February, as revealed by government data. This growth, compared to the previous year, showcased a substantial increase from 118.29 BU recorded in February 2023 and 108.03 BU in the same month of the preceding year.
The extended cold wave, particularly impacting northern regions, played a pivotal role in elevating both power demand and consumption. With temperatures remaining low, households increased reliance on heating appliances such as heaters, blowers, and geysers, consequently intensifying the need for power.
The significance of the leap year was evident in February 2024, with 29 days facilitating a slightly higher growth rate in power consumption. The peak power demand met, representing the highest supply in a day, surged to 222 GW in February 2024, surpassing 209.76 GW in February 2023 and 193.58 GW in February 2022. Experts attribute this surge to improved power consumption and demand, primarily influenced by the prolonged cold wave. The power ministry, which anticipated a peak demand of 229 GW during the previous summer, experienced deviations due to unseasonal rainfall, resulting in a shortfall from April to July. While peak supply reached an unprecedented high of 224.1 GW in June, subsequent months witnessed fluctuations, settling at 209.03 GW in July. Peak demand touched 238.82 GW in August 2023, with subsequent months reporting figures of 243.27 GW, 222.16 GW, 204.77 GW, and 213.79 GW in September, October, November, and December 2023, respectively. January 2024 recorded a peak demand of 222.73 GW.
Industry analysts note that adverse weather conditions, including widespread rainfall, impacted power consumption in March, April, May, and June of the previous year. However, a rebound ensued in August, September, and October, fuelled by humid weather and heightened industrial activities in preparation for the festive season Looking ahead, experts anticipate a steady growth in power consumption, attributing it to the resurgence of economic activities and an anticipated early onset of summers in March.
