Feb power demand climbs to 16-year high

POWER PLAY

- SAURAV ANAND

INDIA'S ELECTRICITY CONSUMPTION rose to about 133 billion units (BUs) in February, the highest level for the month since at least 2010, as above-normal temperatures across several regions pushed up cooling demand, according to a report by Crisil Intelligence.

Power demand increased around 2% year-on-year compared with 131 BUs in February last year, reflecting the impact of warmer weather as well as continued expansion in manufacturing activity, the report said.

“Above-normal minimum and maximum temperatures in several parts of the country are expected to have heightened demand for cooling during the month,” Crisil Intelligence said in the report.

According to the analysis, between February 19 and 25, maximum temperatures were 4-6°C above normal across parts of the western Himalayan region and the plains of northwest India, while the weekly average minimum temperature was 2-4°C above normal across most parts of the country.