4.8 per cent growth during first half of December in power consumption

India’s power consumption grew 4.8 per cent to 50.36 billion units (BU) in the first half of December this year, showing consistency in economic activities, as per government data. Power consumption was recorded at 48.04 BU during December 1-15 last year, according to the power ministry data.

For the full month of December 2019, power consumption was
101.08 BU. Therefore, the extrapolation of half-month data
clearly indicates that power consumption is likely to record a
year-on-year growth for the fourth month in a row, according
to experts. After a gap of six months, power consumption
recorded a year-on-year growth of 4.4 per cent in September
and 11.6 per cent in October.

In November, the power consumption growth slowed to 3.7 per cent to 97.43 BU compared to 93.94 BU in the same month last year mainly due to early onset of winters.

The growth in power consumption in the first half of this month shows that there is consistency in improvement in commercial and industrial demand due to easing of lockdown restrictions, experts say.

However, they think the impact of weather change would not sustain for long in rest of the winter season because economic activities are almost near pre-pandemic levels.

The government had imposed a nationwide lockdown on March 25 to contain the spread of COVID-19. Power consumption started declining from March due to fewer economic activities in the country.

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