According to data from the power ministry, India's power consumption increased by 3.6 percent in November to 100.42 billion units (BU) compared to last year’s 96.88 BU in November 2020, indicating a consistent recovery for the second month in a row. In October of this year, the country's power consumption increased by 3.9 percent to 113.40 BU, up from 109.17 BU in the same month last year.
The peak power demand met, or the highest supply in a single day, was 166.19 GW in November, up from 160.77 GW the previous month.
In November, the data shows a recovery in both power consumption and demand. Experts believe that the government's efforts to increase coal supplies at plants, as well as the improvement in economic activity following the lifting of state lockdown restrictions, will boost power demand and consumption even more.
As of November 29, 2021, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) monitored 136 power plants with a total capacity of over 166 GW, with a total coal stock of 17.28 million tonnes, enough for nine days (at a daily requirement of 1.86 million tonnes).
With the onset of winters and improved coal supplies, the dry fuel situation at thermal power plants across the country has improved.
Despite a low base of 102.08 BU in the same month of 2020, power consumption increased by 6.6% year on year in May this year to 108.80 BU. It increased by nearly 9% to 114.48 BU in June, compared to 105.08 BU the previous month. It increased to 123.72 BU in July from 112.14 BU the previous month. In August of this year, power consumption increased by over 17% to 127.88 BU, up from 109.21 BU in August of 2020. Due to the delayed monsoon, power consumption in September this year saw a subdued recovery, with almost flat growth at 112.43 BU (heavy rains). Power consumption was 112.24 BU in September of last year.