Reactive power ... consumption?
We should probably not say "consumed." A terminology system that has been proposed and followed by some people states:


  When the Reactive Power (Vars) flow from the “SOURCE” through the
  metering point and into the “LOAD” we say the Reactive Power (Vars) are
  being DELIVERED. Therefore when the Reactive Power is being supplied by
  the “SOURCE” into the load it will be referred to as Delivered Reactive
  Power (Vars) and have a positive sign.
  
  When the Reactive Power (Vars) flow from the “LOAD” through the
  metering point and into the “SOURCE” we say the Reactive Power (Vars) are
  being RECEIVED. Therefore when the Reactive Power is being supplied by
  the “LOAD” into the source it will be referred to as Received Reactive
  Power (Vars) and have a negative sign.


In this system, inductive volt-amperes received by the load have a positive sign. If the load is capacitive, the volt-amperes have a negative sign.

Note that negative power factor should not be used in conjunction with reactive power flow. However real power returned by the load to the source will cause the power factor to be negative.

This system of terminology is described in more detail in the source of the above quotation: Understanding Power Flow and Naming Conventions In Bi-directional Metering Applications By Michael Bearden