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Peak power supply-demand rose by 12 pc

BNE ADMIN


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New Delhi: Peak power demand met or the highest supply in a day rose by 12 percent to 198.47 GW on April 1 compared to the year-ago same day, showing impact of the early onset of summer and improvement in commercial and industrial consumption after the easing of lockdown curbs by states.

According to the power ministry data, the peak power demand met was 177.20 GW on April 1, 2021.

The data shows that during the entire month of April in 2021, the peak power demand was recorded at 182.37 GW. It was 132.73 GW in April 2020, a tad lower than 176.81 GW in April 2019.

Experts are of the view that the quantum jump in peak power demand met shows recovery of economic activities through rising commercial and industrial demand of electricity, especially after easing of lockdown restrictions by states for curbing coronavirus infections.

They also stated that apart from a surge in economic activities, the early onset of summer has too perked up the demand for power as people, especially in the northern part of the country have started using desert coolers and conditioners to beat the scorching heat, especially during the day.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had said on Thursday that there would not be any respite from heat in the coming months.

Northwest and central India and parts of the northeast are expected to experience above-normal maximum temperatures in April, the weather department had said.

The power demand was affected in April 2020 mainly due to lockdown restrictions imposed in view of the rising coronavirus infections in the country. The Central government had imposed a lockdown on March 25, 2020. In April 2021, the deadly second wave hit the country, triggering lockdown curbs again by states. This had affected power demand in the country.

Experts say that the peak power demand of 198.47GW on April 1, 2022, is in contrast with 176.81 GW in April 2019, showing that electricity requirement is now much above the pre-pandemic level.

They are of the view that if economic activities are not disrupted by lockdown restrictions by states amid another wave of the pandemic, then the power demand met could see a sizable jump and would remain well above the 200 GW level.

The peak power demand met or the highest supply in a day was a record 200.57 GW on July 7, 2021.

Source- PTI

BNE ADMIN