India witnessed a significant increase in power consumption, with a rise of over 8 per cent in the month of February. According to recently released data, the power consumption for February 2024 stood at 127.79 Billion Units (BU), compared to 118.29 BU in February 2023. This surge in power usage is indicative of growing energy demands in the country.
Peak Power Demand Met Reaches 222 GW in February 2024
Furthermore, the month of February 2024 saw a remarkable peak power demand met, clocking in at 222 GW. When compared to the previous year, a substantial increase was observed, with the demand rising from 209.76 GW in February 2023 to the current 222 GW. This surge underscores the need for an enhanced power infrastructure to meet the rising energy needs of the nation.
Bumper Cold Wave Fuels Power Consumption Growth
Experts in the energy sector have pointed out that the increased power consumption and demand witnessed in February can be attributed to the extended cold wave, particularly in North India. As temperatures dipped significantly, individuals relied on heating equipment such as heaters, blowers, and geysers more frequently. Consequently, this led to a surge in energy consumption to meet the elevated demands of keeping warm during the frosty weather.
Increased Power Demand Surpasses Earlier Projections
The power ministry had estimated that India’s electricity demand would touch a peak of 229 GW during the summer of the previous year. However, unseasonal rainfall during the April-July period hampered this projection, resulting in an unmet target. Despite this setback, electricity supply set new records, with peak supply reaching an all-time high of 224.1 GW in June, only to decrease to 209.03 GW in July.
Continued Rise in Peak Demand
Throughout the latter part of 2023 and early 2024, peak power demand in India displayed consistent growth. In August 2023, it reached 238.82 GW, surpassing expectations. The trend continued as it climbed to 243.27 GW in September, further confirming the escalating need for electricity supply. However, in subsequent months, the peak demand witnessed a slight decline, recording 222.16 GW in October, followed by 204.77 GW in November. Nevertheless, in December 2023 and January 2024, peak demand rebounded, with values of 213.79 GW and 222.73 GW, respectively. India’s increase in power consumption and peak demand signal not only the advancing energy needs of the country but also underscore the importance of sustainable energy sources and adequate infrastructure to overcome such challenges. As periods of extreme weather become more common, maintaining a consistent power supply will be crucial for sustaining industrial and household activities across the nation.
