The extrapolation of half-month data gives sufficient indication that power consumption may witness year-on-year double digit growth this month
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that the electricity consumption has reached pre-COVID levels in the state which indicates that industrial and other business activities are picking up
The slump in overall power consumption has narrowed to just 0.85 per cent in August at 110.57 billion units (BU) amid considerable rise in economic activities
The latest data of the power ministry shows that power consumption has improved after government started giving relaxations for economic activities and onset of summers
The months of April, May and June this year witnessed low power consumption on account of lower commercial and industrial activities due to Covid-19-related restrictions
Other indicators such as power generation and visits pharmacy stores also point to increased activity, though the overall picture suggests a return normalcy is still in process
As the country unlocks, some distribution companies see a return of demand
Overall electricity generation fell 14.3% in May, a Reuters analysis of provisional government data showed, compared with a decline of 24% in April
Massive contraction recorded amid a nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus
Nearly 85% of the state's industrial units have resumed operations
Electricity generation from coal - India's primary source of electricity - fell 32.3% to 1.91 billion units per day, the data showed
The inherent weaknesses of India's power sector are getting exacerbated in this scenario
Its pre-pandemic crisis is likely to worsen with the prolonged lockdown unless the government offers some vital concessions
The economic growth slowdown is a "reality" but all should keep a forward-looking approach to come out of it, he told PTI
Globally, power purchase agreements for renewable energy signed by corporations have already crossed the 15 gigawatts mark this year
Data on diesel, another fuel closely tied to industrial performance, offers more evidence of the slowing factory demand
While the grid-connected consumer opts for diesel power, the off-grid consumer burns kerosene