

Power demand spikes even before peak summer, seen at record high this year
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.New Delhi: India’s early and intense summer is already pushing electricity demand towards the highest levels seen during peak summer last year, challenging the country's power system for the weeks ahead.Peak demand has risen to nearly 240 GW this week amid rising use of cooling appliances, up from about 215 GW end March, according to the Grid Controller of India. With the weather bureau warning of sustained above-normal temperatures, demand is seen rising further, raising the likelihood of new records this season.The record high power demand so far is 250 GW seen on 30 May, 2024.
The highest level of the 2025 summer was 242.77 GW seen in June.Apex power sector planning body, the Central Electricity Authority, sees India's peak demand at a record level of 271 GW this year. For context, in April 2025, the peak demand met was 235 GW.India’s power consumption growth is historically tied to the weather, with summer heat waves being the biggest driver.
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