RENSSELAER — An analysis of COVID-19’s estimated electricity demand impact was released on Thursday by the New York Independent System Operator, an organization tasked with managing the state’s electrical grid.

Demand is down across the New York Control Area, with certain zones experiencing more dramatic drops in load than others.

“Electricity demand across New York state is clearly impacted by COVID-19 related closures,” said Rich Dewey, president and CEO of NYISO. “Even when normalizing electric consumption data for weather, we have seen daily energy use down by nearly 8% during the last two weeks of March and into the first week of April.”

NYISO forecasters noted the reduction in electric demand from commercial customers is driving the reduction, but they also observed an increase in residential energy use, especially during the midday.

The reduction in demand is largest in the morning, particularly in New York City. For weekdays during the period of March 30 to April 3, electricity consumption in New York City dropped almost 18% between 7 to 8 a.m. Overall, New York City hourly demand for that week ranged from 2% to 18% below typical levels.

Meanwhile, NYCA-wide reductions in electric consumption, compared to typical demand levels, ranged from 1% during the midnight hour to 12% during the 7 a.m. hour.

NYISO also observed the morning peak arriving later in the day. This pattern is similar to what’s typically seen during a widespread snow day — which, like now, means many people are home instead of at work or school.