India’s power consumption up by 11% YoY in April

India has consumed 144.25 billion units (BU) of power in April this year, and the figure marks an 11 per cent growth in consumption compared to the same period in 2023, according to data released by the power ministry. The country had consumed 130.08 BU power in April last year.

The highest supply in a single day, led by peak power demand, has also increased on a year-on-year basis. April 2024 recorded 224.18 gigawatt (GW) being consumed in a day, compared to 215.88 GW in April last year.

The ministry estimates that the summer months of 2024 could see peak power demand and consumption scale the 260 GW mark.

Rise in temperature has been cited as the primary reason for the immense consumption of power at a pan-India level besides growth in industrial activity, especially in the steel and power sectors.

Last year, peak power supply for June set a record at 224.1 GW. This was below the power ministry’s forecast that India’s demand for electricity would reach 229 GW in at least one of the summer months of 2023. Unseasonal rains ensured power consumption was less than what was predicted, with numbers dropping to 209.03 GW in July.

On a monthly basis power consumption grew post summer last year, in August and September, owing to humid conditions and also because industrial activity took off before the festive season. The peak power demand in August was 238.82 GW, and 243.27 GW in September. In October the figure touched 222.16 GW, in November it stood at 204.77 GW, while peak power demand in December was 213.79 GW.

January 2024 saw a peak power demand of  223.51 GW while in February the figure stood at 222.72 GW.