India Breaks Power Demand Record with Solar Energy Boost
New Delhi: India achieved a remarkable milestone on Saturday by meeting a peak power demand of 256 gigawatts (GW), the highest ever recorded in a single day, largely thanks to the increasing contribution from solar energy amidst hot weather conditions.
At the peak demand hour of 3:38 PM, solar energy provided nearly 57 GW, making up about 22% of the total energy generated. Data from the Grid Controller of India revealed that by around 12:30 PM, solar power generation had surged to about 81 GW, which accounted for roughly one-third of a total generation of 242 GW. This highlights the growing importance of solar energy in India’s power landscape.
Saturday’s demand exceeded the previous record of 252.1 GW, which was set just a day earlier on April 24. The power ministry has projected an increase in peak demand, expecting it to reach 271 GW this year.
Although coal-fired plants are still the main source of energy, officials note that the share of non-fossil fuel sources—such as solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear—has significantly increased. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized the necessity of renewable energy sources like solar and wind in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program, advocating for clean energy adoption and commemorating the achievements of the Kalpakkam fast breeder reactor as a significant milestone.
Santosh Sarangi, Secretary in the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, highlighted the rapid growth of solar energy, including rooftop systems, in supporting peak demand. He mentioned that with more battery energy storage systems being installed, solar power will help meet evening peak demands in the future.
