NEW DELHI/BENGALURU: India’s electricity generation rose in March at its fastest pace in three months, government data showed, as increased use of air-conditioning in hotter weather and the return of employees to offices led to an increase of 5.99% in output.
Demand could surge further heading into summer, after weather officials forecast maximum temperatures above normal in April in most parts of the northwest, northeast and central regions.
States in these regions such as Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Meghalaya recorded the highest power demand growth rates in March, a Reuters analysis of government data showed.
The higher demand had already forced a cut in coal supplies to the non-power sector, with plans for some fuel auctions mothballed.
