Heatwave pushes India’s power grid toward summer peak as demand tops 240 GW

New Delhi: India’s power system is heading into a tougher phase of the summer, with peak power demand climbing to 240.12 GW on April 23, according to the latest official data. That was up from 239.70 GW on April 22 and marked the season’s highest level so far. The increase has tracked a sharp rise in temperatures and heavier use of cooling appliances in homes, offices and commercial spaces.

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Demand has swung sharply through April

The month has already seen sizeable day-to-day variation in peak demand met, or the highest supply in a day. It stood at 234.81 GW on April 16, jumped to 238.94 GW on April 17, remained near that level at 238.80 GW on April 18, then fell to 225.69 GW on April 19.

Demand recovered to 237.43 GW on April 20 before easing slightly to 236.73 GW on April 21, and then rose again over the next two days.

More heat ahead could lift consumption further

Experts expect electricity demand to stay firm through the rest of the month as households and businesses rely more on air-conditioners, air coolers and other appliances. The India Meteorological Department has forecast heatwave conditions across large parts of northwest, central and eastern India until the weekend.

That could push demand closer to the country’s previous highs, including 243.27 GW, recorded in September 2023, and the all-time peak of about 250 GW seen in May 2024.

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Summer forecast still leaves room for another surge

The power ministry has estimated peak summer demand at around 270 GW this year. Last year, demand reached 242.77 GW in June 2025, but remained below the government’s earlier estimate of 277 GW.

The latest numbers suggest the system is already moving into a period of sustained pressure as the country enters the hottest stretch of the season.

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