Daily power demand in the country has fallen by a sharp 24% over the ten days to March 26, owing to reduced industrial and commercial activities, in the wake of the spread of Covid-19. Electricity requirement on March 26 was only 2,652 million units (MU), down from 3,507 MU on March 16.
Power demand has grown at a meagre 2.2% Y-o-Y in the April-February period this fiscal, with electricity consumption contracting for the fourth straight month in November due to an extended monsoon and slowdown in economic activities. In February, the demand grew a robust 10.8% year-on-year, indicating a revival, but Covid-19 has since played the spoilsport.