The Covid-19 Total Lockdown Effects on Grid Energy Demand: A Malaysia Experience

Abstract

The Covid-19 disease is a highly contagious disease that causes respiratory tracts and lung infections, where some of the cases can lead to fatalities. Malaysia recorded the first Covid-19 case on January 25th, 2020. Although the government at the time considered the disease was not a threat, as the days went by the cases started to increase. The total lockdown measure, also known as the movement control order (MCO) was declared by the new Government of Malaysia following the surge of Covid-19 cases in early March 2020. The new prime minister, following a change of government, announced that schools were to be closed, offices and non-essential business activities were told to cease operation, and people were ordered to stay in their homes. As a newly industrialized country, with little economic activities, there were significant drops in the energy demand in Malaysia. This paper analyzes the change in the power demand and energy consumption trend in Malaysia before, during and after the Covid-19 total lockdown.