Gujarat Power Demand Drops Nearly 3,000 MW During Diwali Holidays

Vadodara: Gujarat witnessed a sharp decline in electricity demand during the Diwali festive break, with demand falling by nearly 3,000 MW over three days as businesses, offices and industrial units remained closed and residents travelled for the holidays.

The state’s electricity demand stood at 19,189 MW on Diwali (November 8), before declining to 18,292 MW the following day. On Bestu Varas, the Gujarati New Year (November 10), demand fell further to 16,240 MW as commercial establishments, government and private offices, and several industrial units remained shut. This represented a decline of 2,949 MW over the three-day period.

Electricity demand began recovering on November 11 as businesses and commercial activities resumed, rising to 18,832 MW. By Thursday, November 12, it had climbed further to 20,898 MW.

For comparison, Gujarat’s electricity demand stood at 25,066 MW on November 1, highlighting the significant fluctuations during the festive period.

The decline in domestic consumption was partly attributed to residents leaving cities to visit their hometowns, pilgrimage sites and tourist destinations during the holidays. Industrial consumption also fell as several small and large non-continuous process industries remained closed.

Production in sectors such as chemicals is also expected to remain relatively subdued, as migrant workers often return to work only three days after the Chhath festival, extending the slowdown in industrial activity.

Meanwhile, the absence of significant winter chill has kept air conditioner usage in households relatively high, limiting the decline in domestic electricity consumption despite the festive break.

DeshGujarat