Increase in power generation in August for the first time since March

Mumbai, Ta. 18 August 2020, Tuesday

The first fortnight of August saw the country's power generation grow for the first time since March. Demand for electricity has also increased as the government has allowed industries to resume and removed restrictions on coronaviruses.

In the first fortnight of August, power generation grew by 4.50 per cent year-on-year. July saw a 1.60 per cent decline in power generation.

The last fortnight of July saw a 6.10 per cent decline in power generation. The power consumption is increasing with the increase in industrial demand in the northern states and Maharashtra and Gujarat.

More than fifty per cent of India's annual electricity consumption is consumed by industries and offices. Despite significant rainfall in the country, heat has also led to an increase in demand for electricity, government sources said.

Renewable energy production, which declined by 20 per cent in July, grew by 2.50 per cent in the first fortnight of August. Solar power generation increased by 19.50 per cent while wind power generation declined by more than 10 per cent.

Coal-based power generation, India's traditional source of power, grew by 2.50 per cent in the first fortnight of August, according to government data.