Each year we see the usage and generation of electricity increasing. Just look around yourself and note that how many electronic/electrical devices are you using? With the advancement in technology, there was also an increase in electricity consumption. We just cannot imagine our life without electricity.
Surprisingly, in the last year (since March 2020), there was a constant decline in the usage and generation of electricity. It was for the first time in 35 years that we saw a decrease in the annual power usage.
The reason behind this was the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There were strict restrictions all-around the country, and people were locked into their homes for months together.
Similarly, the offices, schools, colleges, local trains/metros, airports, gyms, workshops, factories, hotels/restaurants, malls, temples, shops, etc. were shut down. Hence, the demand & usage of electricity got dropped by large numbers.
During the year 2020/21, the power generation fell down by 0.2% and further kept on declining from March to August, six months straight.
Yet, after August, the electricity demand has picked up, and there was a 23.3% increase in electricity generation in March 2021. It is the seventh consecutive month where the demand kept on increasing. This was the fastest increase noted since March 2010.
The power generation in March 2021 increased much faster than the average of the last 6 months. This was mainly due to ease in restrictions and upliftment of lockdown.
There is a pick-up in the industrial activities during the last few months leading to a steady increase in the electricity demand. Along with this, the increase in the usage of Air-Conditioning (A.C.) (due to high temperatures) has also increased the electricity consumption.
