Household and business electricity consumption levels fell for a third consecutive month in September, down by 5.55 percent compared to the equivalent month a year earlier, a latest monthly report issued by power grid operator IPTO has shown.

This reduction of electricity usage, however, was lower than the contraction rates recorded in August and July, 12.71 percent and 11.24 percent, respectively.

September’s lower reduction rate was attributed to the return of consumers following summer holidays and post-summer business re-openings.

In the low and medium-voltage categories, electricity usage in September fell 3.98 percent, well below August’s reduction of more than 13 percent.

On the contrary, high-voltage electricity consumption fell 4.25 percent in September, which was higher than the fall of 3.98 percent in August. September’s greater drop in electricity usage by industrial players was prompted by their switches to alternative energy sources, such as diesel, in an effort to reduce energy costs.

Overall electricity consumption during the year’s first nine-month period fell by 5.13 percent, compared to the equivalent period a year earlier, the IPTO data showed.

Also, domestic electricity generation in September dropped by 13.83 percent, to 3,454 GWh, compared to the same month last year, the IPTO data showed.