Renewables unaffected as thermal generation plummets in lockdown in India

• 5 years ago (2020-05-06)
• David Flin

Asia 939 Coal 320

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According to analysis by India Ratings and Research, the power demand in India declined for March and April amid the Covid-19 lockdown. Electricity generation from all sources excluding renewables declined by 8.8 per cent year-on-year, with thermal generation declining by 11.1 per cent yoy.

The analysis also stated that the thermal plant load factor (PLF) declined to 52.6 per cent in March 2020 (February 2020: 60.4 per cent; March 2019: 62.9 per cent) due to lower demand. Thermal PLFs were impacted most by the decline in power demand due to the must-run status of renewables, hydro, and nuclear.

Power consumption fell by 22.75 per cent in April compared to April 2019 because of the lockdown.