Defying trends, peak power demand dropped this Diwali, as against increasing every year on festival day, according to government data.
The peak power demand declined to 180.14 GW on Monday from 182.87 GW on October 31, 2024, when the festival of lights was celebrated last year, as per the data.
The lower demand this year has been attributed to two days of celebrations, with people in the north celebrating Diwali on Monday, and those in western and other parts of the country celebrating it on Tuesday.
Usually, the consumption of electricity as well as demand increases on Diwali due to excessive use of lights and other appliances by domestic and commercial consumers as people decorate every corner of their homes, shops and offices.
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On Monday, the country’s overall power consumption declined to 3,965 million units as against 4,062 MUs recorded on the occasion a year ago, the power ministry data showed.
On Tuesday, the peak power demand met recorded at 176.50 GW, while the consumption stood at 3,862 MUs.
For the peak summer season this year, the ministry had projected the highest demand to reach 277 GW, more than the all-time high of 250 GW recorded in May last year.
However, this summer (April onwards), the highest demand reached just 242.77 GW in June as more than usual rainfall lowered the overall temperature, leading to less use of air-conditioners and coolers.
Before last year, the electricity demand had recorded an all-time peak of 243.27 GW in September 2023.
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