Record Power Demand in India Amidst Heatwave
New Delhi: India’s electricity consumption has hit a new peak, reaching 252 gigawatts (GW) on April 24, as rising temperatures across the country drive a surge in power use, according to reports. This marks a significant jump from the previous day’s demand of 240.1 GW, largely attributed to increased air conditioning usage in homes and businesses.
The Grid Controller of India noted that this record demand surpasses the previous high of 249.9 GW recorded on May 30, 2024.
With predictions of a particularly hot summer from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), officials are anticipating peak demand to reach as high as 271 GW later this season. The ongoing heatwave affecting many regions is expected to further elevate electricity demand and consumption.
For context, peak power demand was recorded at 235 GW in April of last year. During a milder summer in 2025, the highest demand reached 242.8 GW on June 12, despite projections of 270 GW. Earlier this year, intense cold in northern and northeastern India pushed demand over 245 GW on January 9.
Data indicates that electricity consumption remained low until April 12 due to mild weather and sporadic rain, but has been climbing steadily since then. Contrary to earlier forecasts predicting a peak around 240 GW for April 24, the actual demand exceeded expectations.
Looking ahead, the forecast for the week of April 27 to May 3 suggests that while there may be a slight dip in demand initially, it could rise to 246 GW by May 1. Officials warn that this increase in demand may continue, especially as the IMD has indicated possible heatwave conditions in several regions, including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and central India.
An official stated, “These weather conditions will increase electricity usage throughout the country, and we may see even higher demand in the coming days.”
