New Delhi: India’s peak power demand touched nearly 239 GW on April 18, marking the highest level so far in the summer season, as rising temperatures across large parts of the country pushed up electricity consumption, according to official data.
The surge reflects an early onset of heat stress in key regions, particularly in northern and western India, where temperatures have already begun breaching seasonal averages.
Peak demand growth has been driven majorly because of increased cooling load, with air conditioners and agricultural consumption contributing significantly to the rise.
The latest peak demand is higher than last year for the same period. In April last year, the peak demand met was 235 GW.
According to the India Meteorological Department, hot and humid weather is likely to prevail next this week in the east coast and heat wave conditions are very likely in some pockets of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Vidarbha region.
This raises expectations that the country could see further rise in electricity consumption in the coming months. The power ministry has projected peak demand at 271 GW this year.
