India’s peak power demand hits all-time high of 252 GW amid scorching nationwide heatwave- Moneycontrol.com
Experts warn demand may rise further with harsher summer forecast
India's electricity consumption has surged to unprecedented levels as the ongoing heatwave pushed peak power demand to a record high of 252 gigawatts (GW) on April 24, according to official data. The spike reflects a sharp rise in the usage of cooling appliances, such as air conditioners and coolers, across homes and commercial establishments, according to TOI.
Data from the Grid Controller of India showed that peak demand reached 252.1 GW at 3:28 pm, marking the highest-ever electricity consumption recorded in the country. This surpassed the previous record of 249.9 GW set in May 2024, as per TOI.
Reportedly, the sudden jump in demand is largely attributed to soaring temperatures across north, central, and eastern India. Heatwave conditions have intensified in several regions, including Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh, prompting increased reliance on cooling systems.
Officials noted that power demand has risen sharply in recent days after remaining relatively subdued earlier in April due to mild weather and sporadic rainfall. Since mid-April, however, a sustained rise in temperatures has led to a steep increase in electricity consumption.
According to TOI The surge also exceeded earlier projections. The grid operator had estimated demand to hover around 240 GW on April 24, but actual consumption overshot expectations. Experts believe that this trend may continue, especially with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting a harsher-than-usual summer.
The power ministry has projected that peak electricity demand could reach as high as 271 GW during the summer months. With heatwave conditions likely to persist and intensify in the coming weeks, officials anticipate further strain on the country's power infrastructure.
The growing demand highlights the challenges faced by the energy sector in meeting rising consumption during extreme weather events. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure an uninterrupted power supply and avoid outages.
As India braces for peak summer, experts stress the need for efficient energy management and infrastructure upgrades to handle increasing demand. The record-breaking figures serve as an early indicator of the pressure that prolonged heatwaves could place on the nation's electricity grid in the months ahead.
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