Covid-19 lockdown effect: Electricity use in August 2.2% lower than July

Power consumption in the country fell 1.6% year-on-year (y-o-y) to 109.7 billion units (BU) in August as industrial and commercial activities remained muted in the aftermath of the nationwide lockdown imposed to contain the coronavirus outbreak. Electricity consumption in August was even 2.2% lower than July, with the monsoon reducing domestic home-cooling demand.

Power demand in states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal — where industrial and commercial consumers comprise more than 40% of electricity usage — were lower by 3.4%, 6.2%, 5.6% and 10.9%, respectively. However, states such as Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh — where agricultural power consumption is high — recorded annual increases of 9% and 6.4%, respectively. Among states with 40%-plus industrial and commercial consumption, Punjab recorded a growth of 6.3%.