Electricity consumption in the country rose 13.6 per cent year-on-year to 132.98 billion units (BU) in April, showing the impact of early summer and a surge in economic activity, the Power Ministry data showed. Electricity usage in April last year was 117.08 BU, up from 84.55 BU in the same month of 2020. On the other hand, the peak electricity demand in April this year was the highest supply in a day and remained at an all-time high of 207.11 GW.

The peak electricity supply in April 2021 was 182.37 GW, and in April 2020, it was 132.73 GW. Electricity consumption and demand were affected in April 2020 also due to lockdown restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the deadly coronavirus.

In April 2019 (before the epidemic), the electricity consumption was 110.11 billion units. Experts believe that the unprecedented increase in electricity consumption and demand is mainly due to the early arrival of summer, which indicates that more excellent economic activity is driving the demand for electricity in the country’s business and industry.

A third wave of the pandemic hit the country in January, forcing many states to impose local restrictions such as nighttime and weekend curfews. They also took measures such as bans on dining in bars and restaurants. States gradually eased those restrictions.