Power generation falls 15% even after easing of coronavirus lockdown norms

The easing of lockdown curbs has failed to buoy power generation. Nationwide, power generation from all sources fell 15 per cent between June 1 and June 15 when compared with the same period of 2019.

Data from Power System Operation Corporation Ltd (POSOCO) shows that coal-fired power generation alone dropped by a steeper 24 per cent.

During the pandemic, coal generation bore nearly all of the electricity demand drop, due to higher operating costs compared to renewables. The lockdowns underlined that demand for coal power had already been in a steady decline over the past five years.

According to research by US-based think