India's Power Consumption Grows 17.2% To 134.13 Billion Units In June
The June 2022 figures are the highest for the month in at least three years as the pandemic hurt India's power consumption and demand.
India's power consumption grew by 17.2% over the year ago to 134.12 billion units in June, amid severe summer heat and a spurt in economic activities.
The peak power demand, or highest supply in a day, hit an all-time high of 209.80 gigawatts on June 8, according to power ministry data.
The June 2022 figures are the highest for the month in at least three years as the Covid-19 pandemic hurt demand for electricity in the last two years. India consumed 114.48 billion units in June 2021 and 105.08 billion units in June 2020. In 2019, the country's power consumption stood at 117.98 billion units.
According to experts, power consumption and demand rose mainly due to a harsh summer and increase in economic activity at commercial and industrial establishments in the aftermath of the pandemic.
The third wave of the pandemic hit the country in January this year, which forced many states to impose local restrictions such as night and weekend curfews. They had also taken measures like a ban on dining in bars and restaurants. These restrictions were eased gradually.
According to experts power demand and consumption is likely to grow at higher rates in the coming months.