India's power demand hits fresh record for 3rd straight day amid heatwave
The country's peak power demand touched 265.44 gigawatts (GW) at 3:45 pm on Wednesday, going past Tuesday's previous high of 260.45 GW, according to data shared by the Ministry of Power.
India’s electricity demand climbed to a fresh record high for the third day in a row on Wednesday as soaring temperatures across several parts of the country pushed up the use of cooling appliances like air-conditioners and desert coolers, reported PTI.
The country’s peak power demand touched 265.44 gigawatts (GW) at 3:45 pm on Wednesday, going past Tuesday’s previous high of 260.45 GW, according to data shared by the Ministry of Power.
HEATWAVE PUSHES ELECTRICITY DEMAND HIGHER
Electricity demand has been climbing steadily since the start of the week as an intense heatwave grips several parts of the country, pushing up the use of cooling appliances.
On Monday, India’s peak power demand touched 257.37 GW, crossing the earlier record of 256.11 GW set on April 25. The demand rose further to 260.45 GW on Tuesday and climbed to 265.44 GW on Wednesday, setting fresh records each day.
The Ministry of Power had earlier said on X that Wednesday marked the third straight day of record peak electricity demand and that supply was successfully managed.
However, the trend continued further. On Thursday, India recorded a fresh all-time high for the fourth consecutive day, with peak power demand during solar hours reaching 270.82 GW at 3:45 pm, according to the ministry.
The latest figure surpassed Wednesday’s previous high of 265.44 GW, with the government saying the rising demand was met smoothly without disruption.
Officials believe the surge is mainly driven by higher use of air-conditioners, coolers and fans as temperatures remain elevated across many regions.
Sharing details of the power mix, the Ministry of Power posted on X, “Today's peak demand was met with the following mix: Thermal 62.8%, Solar 22.0%, Wind 5.0%, Hydro 5.8% and rest from other sources. The availability of coal at the Thermal Power Plants is adequate and the supplies are being effectively monitored.”
TEMPERATURES REMAIN HIGH IN MANY REGIONS
The sharp rise in electricity use comes as large parts of northwest and central India continue to face extreme heat.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the heatwave is likely to continue this week, with temperatures hovering around 45 degrees Celsius in several places.
With the mercury rising, more households and businesses are using air-conditioners, coolers and fans, leading to a jump in electricity consumption.
GOVERNMENT EXPECTS DEMAND TO RISE FURTHER
The power ministry has estimated that India’s peak power demand may reach 270 GW this summer.
Experts believe electricity demand could increase further in the coming weeks if temperatures stay high and the use of cooling devices continues to rise.
Last summer, India recorded a peak power demand of 242.77 GW in June 2025, while in May 2024, demand had touched 250 GW, which was a record at the time.
India’s electricity demand climbed to a fresh record high for the third day in a row on Wednesday as soaring temperatures across several parts of the country pushed up the use of cooling appliances like air-conditioners and desert coolers, reported PTI.
The country’s peak power demand touched 265.44 gigawatts (GW) at 3:45 pm on Wednesday, going past Tuesday’s previous high of 260.45 GW, according to data shared by the Ministry of Power.
HEATWAVE PUSHES ELECTRICITY DEMAND HIGHER
Electricity demand has been climbing steadily since the start of the week as an intense heatwave grips several parts of the country, pushing up the use of cooling appliances.
On Monday, India’s peak power demand touched 257.37 GW, crossing the earlier record of 256.11 GW set on April 25. The demand rose further to 260.45 GW on Tuesday and climbed to 265.44 GW on Wednesday, setting fresh records each day.
The Ministry of Power had earlier said on X that Wednesday marked the third straight day of record peak electricity demand and that supply was successfully managed.
However, the trend continued further. On Thursday, India recorded a fresh all-time high for the fourth consecutive day, with peak power demand during solar hours reaching 270.82 GW at 3:45 pm, according to the ministry.
The latest figure surpassed Wednesday’s previous high of 265.44 GW, with the government saying the rising demand was met smoothly without disruption.
Officials believe the surge is mainly driven by higher use of air-conditioners, coolers and fans as temperatures remain elevated across many regions.
Sharing details of the power mix, the Ministry of Power posted on X, “Today's peak demand was met with the following mix: Thermal 62.8%, Solar 22.0%, Wind 5.0%, Hydro 5.8% and rest from other sources. The availability of coal at the Thermal Power Plants is adequate and the supplies are being effectively monitored.”
TEMPERATURES REMAIN HIGH IN MANY REGIONS
The sharp rise in electricity use comes as large parts of northwest and central India continue to face extreme heat.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast that the heatwave is likely to continue this week, with temperatures hovering around 45 degrees Celsius in several places.
With the mercury rising, more households and businesses are using air-conditioners, coolers and fans, leading to a jump in electricity consumption.
GOVERNMENT EXPECTS DEMAND TO RISE FURTHER
The power ministry has estimated that India’s peak power demand may reach 270 GW this summer.
Experts believe electricity demand could increase further in the coming weeks if temperatures stay high and the use of cooling devices continues to rise.
Last summer, India recorded a peak power demand of 242.77 GW in June 2025, while in May 2024, demand had touched 250 GW, which was a record at the time.
