People walk with their faces covered to protect themselves from the heatwave on a hot summer day, in Prayagraj on Thursday (May 21). Photo: PTI
Power demand hits all-time high as heat wave scorches India
Electricity demand shot up due to the heat wave, as cooling requirements increase across households, commercial establishments and industries
India’s power demand touched an all-time high of 270.82 gigawatts (GW) on Thursday (May 21), as an intense heat wave swept across large parts of the country, sharply pushing up electricity consumption driven by air conditioners, coolers, and other cooling appliances.
The peak demand surpassed the previous record of 265.44 GW recorded a day earlier. According to the Ministry of Power, this marked the fourth consecutive day that India’s peak power demand hit a fresh record.
Power demand
“Today (Thursday) was the fourth consecutive day when the peak power demand reached a new all-time high. At 1545 hours, the peak power demand of 270.82 GW was successfully met,” the ministry had posted on X.
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The ministry had earlier projected that peak demand would touch 270 GW this summer amid forecasts of an exceptionally harsh season.
Power demand has steadily climbed since Monday, when consumption touched 257.37 GW, rising to 260.45 GW on Tuesday and 265.44 GW on Wednesday.
Heat wave scorches country
Officials said Thursday’s demand was successfully met through a diversified energy mix, with thermal power contributing nearly 62.8 per cent, solar energy 22 per cent, wind power 5 per cent and hydroelectricity 5.8 per cent. The ministry also said coal stocks at thermal plants remain adequate and supplies are being closely monitored.
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The surge in electricity demand comes amid severe heat wave conditions across north, central and eastern India. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the continuation of heat wave conditions in several states over the coming days.
Hottest place in India
In Uttar Pradesh, Banda recorded the highest temperature in the country at 47.6 degrees Celsius, while Prayagraj, Varanasi and Jhansi also witnessed temperatures well above 45 degrees Celsius. The IMD has issued a red alert for severe heat wave conditions across parts of the state over the next three days.
The weather office attributed the extreme temperatures to clear skies, the absence of weather systems and hot, dry winds associated with an anticyclone over central India.
Odisha also reeled under severe heat, with Jharsuguda recording 45.5 degrees Celsius. Temperatures crossed 43 degrees Celsius in at least 10 locations across the state, prompting the IMD to issue orange and yellow warnings for multiple districts.
Heatstroke case
Delhi too continued to sizzle, with the Ridge weather station recording 45.3 degrees Celsius. The national capital also reported its first heatstroke case of the season after a 24-year-old student was admitted to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital in critical condition.
Also read: Is 40+ degrees the new early-summer normal in South India as extreme weather intensifies?
Heat wave conditions also persisted across Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, with temperatures remaining several degrees above normal in many regions.
Experts warned that electricity demand could rise further if the heat wave continues, especially as cooling requirements increase across households, commercial establishments and industries.
(With agency inputs)