Peak Power Demand Hits 240 GW in April Amid Record High Temperatures

Peak Power Demand Hits Season's Highest in India Amid Rising Temperature

Peak power demand in the country soared near 240 GW on Wednesday, the season's highest so far, as residents and businesses increased their usage of cooling appliances like coolers and air conditioners due to rising temperature.

According to the latest power ministry data, the peak power demand met, or the highest supply in a day, was recorded at 239.70 GW on April 22, the highest during this summer. This is a significant increase from the first fortnight of the month, where the peak power demand remained subdued, staying below the year-ago April month's average of 235.32 GW.

The data shows a fluctuating trend in the peak power demand throughout the first three weeks of April. On April 16, the peak power demand was recorded at 234.81 GW, but surged to 238.94 GW the next day. On April 18, demand remained almost at the same level of 238.80 GW, but fell to 225.69 GW on April 19 before rising again to 237.43 GW on April 20. It had slipped to 236.73 GW on April 21.

Read also: Government Takes Steps to Address Discrepancies in Traded Goods Listings, Affecting Export Benefits Timelines

Experts predict that the demand and consumption of electricity will increase further, with rising mercury levels in the country leading to more frequent use of air-conditioners, air coolers, and other appliances by domestic as well as commercial consumers. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heatwave conditions over major parts of northwest, central, and eastern India during the next four to five days.

This year's peak power demand is expected to be higher than the previous summer. The power ministry has estimated the peak power demand of about 270 GW during the summer season this year. The country's peak power demand touched an all-time high of about 250 GW in May 2024, surpassing the previous all-time peak demand of 243.27 GW recorded in September 2023. During the last summer, the peak power demand reached 242.77 GW in June but stayed below the government's estimate of 277 GW.