Power demand slump widens to 19.7% IN first week of June

NEW DELHI: Relatively cool weather in the first week of June in many parts of the country led to widening of power demand slump to 19.7 per cent from 8.8 per cent in May this year.

The spurt in power demand due to intensifying heat wave and spur in commercial and industrial activities across the country after easing of the lockdown in second half of May had raised hopes that power consumption would further inch towards normal levels (of last year) in June.

According to power ministry data the peak power demand met ranged between 138.28 GW (on June 4) to 146.53GW (on June 6) in the first week of June. Thus, the peak power demand for this week was 146.53 GW, which is 19.7 per cent less than the 182.45 GW recorded in June last year.

The peak power demand met is the highest energy supply during the day across the country.

The peak power demand met in May stood at 166.42 GW (recorded on May 26), which was 8.82 per cent less than 182.55 GW in the same month a year earlier.

Similarly, the peak power demand met in April stood at 132.77 GW, 25 per cent less than 176.81 GW in the same month a year earlier. Therefore, the power demand slump had narrowed down to 8.8 per cent in May from 25 per cent in April this year.

An industry expert said the fall in power demand was arrested to an extend in the second half of May but cool weather has again widened the slump in electricity consumption in June so far.

The expert was of the view that the situation would prevail for another week and power demand would rise closer to normal level (of last year in same month) with rising mercury in June.