Effect analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic on the electricity consumption of Bangladesh

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our way of life and has brought challenges on a scale never seen before. Lockdown and various other social distancing rules have been implemented in order to slow down new infections. This has led to a drastic change in people's lifestyle and has altered the pattern of electricity consumption. In this paper, the effect of lockdown on the overall electricity consumption of Bangladesh is analysed. Also, a neural network-based prediction model is developed to predict the electricity consumption during a lockdown or estimate the future consumption given a lockdown is announced in the future. Furthermore, in order to compare the change in electricity consumption for commercial, residential, and industrial areas, power measurements for the lockdown and the post lockdown period are analysed in detail. Results show a significant decline in the overall electricity consumption of Bangladesh during the period of lockdown. In addition, the commercial and industrial areas showed a considerable reduction in electricity consumption. However, the changes in electricity consumption in residential areas are found negligible. This study will aid in to provide a clearer understanding on the electricity consumption pattern in the case of further lockdowns or in the event of another outbreak in the future.