In recent years, the demand for electricity in India has been on a constant rise, owing to the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the country. As a result, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has been closely monitoring the consumption of power in various states. The latest data released by the CEA has revealed some interesting insights, with Delhi emerging as the top consumer of electricity, followed by Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.
According to the CEA, the total power consumed by all the states in India during the fiscal year 2020-21 was 1,188 billion units. Out of this, Delhi alone accounted for a whopping 10% of the total consumption, using 121 billion units of electricity. This is a significant increase from the previous fiscal year, where Delhi’s consumption was at 105 billion units. This surge in demand can be attributed to the increased usage of air conditioners and other electrical appliances in the capital city.
Maharashtra, the second-highest consumer of electricity, consumed 115 billion units, closely followed by Gujarat at 112 billion units. These states have been consistently among the top consumers of electricity in the country, owing to their large industrial and commercial sectors. Haryana and Andhra Pradesh, with 81 billion and 80 billion units respectively, complete the list of top five states with the highest consumption of power.
The data also revealed that the per capita consumption of electricity in Delhi is significantly higher than the national average. While the national per capita consumption stands at 1,208 units, Delhi’s per capita consumption is at a staggering 2,555 units. This indicates the high standard of living and the increasing demand for electricity in the city.
The CEA’s data also sheds light on the power consumption patterns in different sectors. It shows that the industrial sector is the largest consumer of electricity, accounting for 55% of the total consumption in the country. The commercial sector, which includes offices, malls, and other commercial establishments, comes second with a consumption of 28%. The residential sector, which includes households, accounts for 15% of the total consumption, while the agriculture sector uses only 2% of the electricity.
The increase in power consumption in these states also highlights the efforts being made by the government to provide uninterrupted and reliable power supply to its citizens. The central and state governments have been investing in the development of new power plants and upgrading the existing infrastructure to meet the growing demand for electricity.
The Delhi government, for instance, has been actively promoting the use of renewable energy sources like solar power to reduce the strain on the conventional power supply. The city has also implemented various energy efficiency measures to reduce wastage and promote sustainable energy practices.
Similarly, the Maharashtra government has been focusing on increasing the capacity of its power plants and investing in new projects to meet the growing demand. The state has also been promoting the use of renewable energy sources and has set a target of generating 17% of its electricity from renewables by 2022.
The Gujarat government has been a pioneer in the renewable energy sector and has been actively promoting solar and wind energy projects. The state is also home to the world’s largest solar park, which has a capacity of 5,000 MW. This has significantly contributed to reducing the strain on the conventional power supply and meeting the increasing demand for electricity.
Haryana and Andhra Pradesh have also been taking steps to increase their power generation capacity and promote the use of renewable energy sources. Both states have set ambitious targets to increase their renewable energy capacity in the coming years.
In conclusion, the latest data from the CEA highlights the increasing demand for electricity in India, with Delhi, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh emerging as the top consumers. This also reflects the country’s growing economy and the need for a reliable and uninterrupted power supply. The efforts being made by the government to meet this demand and promote sustainable energy practices are commendable and will play a crucial role in the country’s development. It is essential for all states to continue their efforts in this direction to ensure a brighter and more energy-efficient future for the nation.
