India’s Per Capita Electricity Consumption
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
May 10, 2016
The per capita electricity consumption in India has been increasing continuously over the last decade because of the significant improvement in electrification of villages. Still, India is far behind when compared to the rest of the world. India’s per capita electricity consumption is the lowest among BRICS nations and is just 1/3rd the world average.
Electrification of remote villages is still a priority item on the agenda of successive governments. While significant progress has been made, there is still a long way to go. India’s per capita electricity consumption is lowest among the BRICS nations. It is also about 1/3 the world’s average per capita electricity consumption.
Per Capita Electricity Consumption up 46% in 8 years
India per capita electricity consumption has been continuously increasing over the years. From 734 kWh in 2008-09, the per capita consumption has reached 1075 kWh in 2015-16, an increase of 46% in 8 years. The per capita consumption has been increasing at an average of 6% every year. The per capita consumption crossed 1000 kWh in 2014-15 for the first time. The highest increase in the per capita consumption during these 8 years has been in 2011-12 where it grew by almost 8%.
Wide variation across states
As per the latest available consumption figures by states (for 2012-13), there is wide variation across states in the consumption pattern. The highest per capita consumption is in the Union Territories. Among the states, the per capita consumption in Puducherry, Goa, Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana and Delhi is way above the national average. Bihar has the lowest per capita consumption which is almost 1/6 the national average. Per capita consumption in all the north eastern states is below the national average. The per capita consumption in states like West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh & Jharkhand is also below the national average.
India’s per capita consumption is the lowest among BRICS Nations
As per the latest available information, India’s per capita electricity consumption is the lowest among BRICS nations. Russia has the highest per capita electricity consumption among the BRICS nations which is more than 6 times that of India. China’s per capita consumption is also more than 3 times that of India. South Africa’s is more than 4 times and Brazil’s per capita consumption is more than 2.5 times that of India.
India’s per capita consumption is 1/3rd the World average
Compared to some of the developed countries of the world, the per capita electricity consumption in India is very low. India’s per capita consumption is 1/3 of the world average and is just 10% of that of Australia. It is just 7.5% that of USA and 6.6% of Canada. The per capita consumption in UK also is more than 5 times that of India.
Featured Image: Pexels.com[Creative Commons 1.0]