Bhubaneswar, June 23 : Odisha has ranked 16th among Indian states in terms of growth in peak electricity demand over the last five years (2018–19 to 2023–24), according to data released by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) under the Union Ministry of Power and India Grid.

The analysis shows that Jharkhand recorded the highest growth in peak power demand in the country at 63.78%, followed by Bihar at 57.36%. Other eastern states, including West Bengal, have also shown higher growth compared to Odisha.

During 2018–19, Odisha had around 8.3 million electricity consumers with a peak demand of 5,357 MW. By 2023–24, the number of consumers increased to 9.4 million, while peak demand rose by only 20.27% to 6,443 MW.

In comparison, Jharkhand’s peak demand increased significantly to 2,193 MW, while Bihar’s demand reached 8,049 MW during the same period. Gujarat (45.60%), Telangana (44.45%), and Uttar Pradesh (41.41%) are among the top-performing states in terms of demand growth.

The report further highlights that India’s overall average peak electricity demand growth stood at 37.42% over the five-year period.

In terms of regional comparison, western and southern states such as Gujarat, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh recorded much higher growth in electricity consumption compared to Odisha.

Experts suggest that electricity demand is a key indicator of industrial activity and economic growth, as higher consumption typically reflects stronger production and business activity. However, Odisha’s relatively low per capita electricity consumption indicates slower industrial expansion compared to several other states.

Energy analysts also point out that Odisha’s per capita electricity consumption in domestic, commercial, and MSME sectors remains significantly below the national average, further indicating lower usage of energy-intensive infrastructure such as air-conditioning and industrial machinery.