(ET)
India’s power demand fell 4.3 per cent in November from a year ago, representing the fourth straight month of decline, government data showed, potentially reflecting a worsening industrial slowdown which has stifled overall economic growth.
In October, the country’s power demand fell 13.2 per cent from a year ago, its steepest monthly decline in more than 12 years, as a growth slowdown in Asia’s third-largest economy deepened. An official at India’s Ministry of Power attributed the tepid electricity demand to an early onset of winter and high rainfall, which he said has reduced the need for air conditioning.
However, electricity demand from industries account for over two-fifths of India’s annual electricity consumption, according to government data, with residences accounting for nearly a fourth and commercial establishments for another 8.5 per cent.Commercial establishments account for a bulk of the electricity demand for cooling, and air conditioning in India is still largely restricted to cities.
