India’s Power Usage Rises 6% to 130.40 Billion Units in December

The December month of 2024, India’s power consumption increased closed to 6 percent which is 130.40 billion units (BU) as compared to 123.17 BU in December, 2023. The peak power demand (highest supply in a day) also surged to 224.16 GW in December 2024 from 213.62 GW in previous year. In the year 2024 itself, the peak power demand touched an all time high which was 250 GW in May 2024. It crossed the previous all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW in September 2023.

At the start of the year 2024, the Power Ministry of India estimated a peak power demand of 235 GW during the day. It also projected GW for daytime and evening hours for May 2024 as 240 GW and 225 GW respectively. For the month of June 2024, it was expected to be 240 GW during daytime and 235 GW during the evening hours. The power ministry of India also estimated peak power demand may hit 260 GW in the summer season of 2024. As compared to this, the peak power demand in 2025 is forecasted to hit 270 GW in the summer season.

As per the experts, the rising power demand and its consumption in the last month is due to an increase in the use of heating appliances like heater and geysers in the midst of Cold wave conditions. It is also estimated that the growth of power demand and its consumption will remain steady in January due to significant drop in temperature especially in Northern India. One of the other reasons for the increase in demand for power and consumption is improvement in commercial and industrial activities in the last quarter of 2024-2025.

The severe cold waves hit the Northern region of India. Several states such as Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Punjab, Telangana, Odisha and Delhi are facing the harsh cold waves with temperatures dropping to freezing lows. In this extreme cold weather condition, the peak power demand in the city crossed 5,000 MW during December. As per the information provided by the State Load Dispatch Centre (SLDC), the apex body responsible to manage the power system in Delhi and its related task, it recorded a power demand of 5,213 MW on Tuesday morning of 31st December. The previous day demand for power was recorded around 5,046 MW. The current highest supply in December month is higher than the demand in the last two years in the same period. Also SLDC indicated that Delhi’s peak power demand this winter is likely to surpass 6,300 MW leading to setting up of a new seasonal high. It is expected that Delhi in this winter season will probably follow the record-breaking summer trend in power demand observed in the year 2024. Despite the temperatures in Delhi expected to rise on 2nd of January, it is highly unlikely to see any significant relief from the cold. As per the weather forecasts, the freezing winds and the fog with a range of moderate to dense will maintain a chilly weather. It indicates that the demand for power will remain strong. The situation of Delhi in the northern region of India shows the glimpse of the winter condition especially in the North India and its impact on the power demand and consumption.

The prevailing climatic condition has induced an increase in demand for heat appliances. Also the overall improvements in the commercial and industrial activities has ensured increase in demand for power consumption. Both of these indicate not only an increase in demand for power due to seasonal demand but also due to economic growth. As power plays a crucial role in the industrial activities of the country.

The image added is for representation purposes only