Power Consumption in January Grew by Nearly 6% to 3-Month High

India’s power consumption increased to a three-month high of nearly 6 percent at 111.43 billion units (BU) in January 2021.

India’s power consumption increased to a three-month high of nearly 6 percent at 111.43 billion units (BU) in January 2021, showing a jump in economic activities. According to data made available by the power ministry, power consumption in January 2020 was 105.15 BU.

According to Power Ministry figures, after a gap of six months, power consumption recorded a 4.5 percent year-on-year growth in September and 11.6 percent in October. In November 2020, the power consumption growth slowed to 3.12 percent, mainly due to the early onset of winters. In December, power consumption grew by nearly five percent.

It is believed that the nearly six percent growth in power consumption and all-time high peak power demand of 188.45 GW in January give sufficient evidence that most of the economic activities are now at pre-pandemic levels. And it is expected that power demand growth to be more robust and consistent in the coming months.

Besides consumption, peak power demand also recorded double-digit growth of nearly 11 percent to 189.64 GW in January 2021 compared to 170.97 GW in January 2020. On January 30, the peak power demand of India had surged to its all-time high of 189.64 GW.

On January 30, 2021, outgoing power secretary SN Sahai had tweeted that the all-time high demand for India at 1,89,644 MW (189.64 GW) was recorded at 10.39 hrs on January 30, 2021, crossing the previous highest all India demand of 1,88,452 MW (188.45 GW) which was recorded just two days ago on January 28, 2020.

Power demand galloping. All India demand : 189644 MW (189.64 GW) at 10.39 hrs today crossed the previous highest all India demand of188452 MW (188.45 GW) on 28th January.@MinOfPower@PosocoIndia

— Sanjiv Sahai (@Sanjiv_Sahai) January 30, 2021

According to data from the power ministry, the peak power demand met (the highest supply in a day) during January last year stood at 170.97 GW. It grew by nearly 11 percent in January this year. The rising power demand also shows revival in economic activities, leading to higher commercial and industrial demand, which was affected due to the pandemic.