Power Chronicle - EAL Newsletter - Volume 02, Issue 04
COVID-19, a global pandemic, is leaving a lasting impression on the economic activities across nations. Electricity sector is facing significantly lower demand on account of country-wide lockdown leading to almost nil activity for most of the industrial and the commercial activity, which is witnessing a very slow recovery. In response to COVID-19 pandemic, the society observed a Janta Curfew, a light off event and an extended lockdown that is to last till 17th May 2020 or even beyond. EAL analysed the impact of lockdown on electricity demand profile across states, regions as well as for the country as a whole. The Indian power sector witnessed a decline in daily electricity demand of 596.4 MU. Daily energy sold witnessed a decline of 37.2 GWh. Home to a significant proportion of nations industrial and commercial activity, western region witnessed the highest decline in energy demand. Peak demand was subdued as it could only touch 46.6 GW on 24th March (11:15 - 11:30). Given, that renewable, hydro and nuclear generation have must run status, thermal generators particularly most of the coal based plants are facing the adverse impact. Pre and post lockdown demand profile across states dominated by industrial and commercial demand highlights a secular demand decline across the day, e.g., Maharashtra and Gujarat witnessed a decline of around 4000-5000 MW (about 25%) decline in demand across the day. Uttar Pradesh did not witness a significant decline in electricity demand during the day, albeit the state witnessed a rise in demand during night hours. This can be attributed to increased hours of supply to rural areas, which had curtailed hours of supply earlier. As country prepares to the rollout of RTM for electricity, POSOCO released the procedure to be followed. As detailed out in the issue, allocation of transmission capacity ensuring efficient utilisation, definition of net gains in case of bids below variable cost and identification of tradable capacity available for sale across the exchanges needs to be addressed