Power consumption rose marginally by 1.04 per cent to 136.56 billion units in May this year as widespread rains have kept summer temperature under check so far and people used fewer cooling appliances compared to last year.

In the year-ago period, power consumption stood at 135.15 billion units (BU), higher than 108.80 BU in May 2021, according to government data.

The power consumption was also affected in March and April this year due to widespread rains in the country.

Experts said that unseasonal rains in March, April and May affected the power consumption in the country. The power ministry has estimated the country's electricity demand to touch 229 GW during this summer season. But the demand has not reached the projected level during April-May this year mainly due to unseasonal rains.

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Monsoon has established its presence over parts of South Arabian Sea, Maldives and the Comorin, its traditional route, seen in satellite pictures on Thursday marked by clouds (in blue and red) with a heavy mass sitting over Mangaluru-Goa coast.

Monsoon advances into parts of South Arabian Sea, Maldives, Comorin

Rains reduced the demand for electricity as people used fewer cooling appliances compared to the previous year, according to experts.

Further, experts are hopeful that power consumption and demand would grow from June onwards due to further improvement in economic activities as well as a rise in temperature during the summer season. The data showed the peak power demand met, which is the highest supply in a day, rose to 221.34 GW in May 2023.

The peak power supply stood at 204.47 GW in May 2022 and 168.78 GW in May 2021.

Peak power demand is expected to touch 229 GW during this summer season, as per the power ministry estimates.

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