New Delhi: India’s peak power demand climbed to 255.85 GW on April 27, marking the second straight time it came close to record levels this year. The rise was powered by severe heatwave conditions across north, central and western India, which sharply increased the use of cooling appliances such as air conditioners and desert coolers.
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The peak power demand spike has steadily built up through the second half of April in tandem with the rise in temperatures. Peak load had touched 252.07 GW on April 24, before rising further to 256.11 GW on April 25.
The load eased on April 26 to 238.15 GW after the record level seen a day earlier, largely because most commercial and industrial establishments were shut. Dust storms and scattered rain in isolated parts of the country also curbed electricity consumption to some extent.
Power Ministry data showed that peak power demand met, or the highest supply in a day, stood at 237.21 GW on Sunday, leaving a shortfall of 0.93 GW. That gap is why the day’s peak demand was placed at 238.15 GW.
The latest surge comes after a strong run in April. The highest electricity supply on April 22 was 239.70 GW, which increased to 240.12 GW on April 23. In the first fortnight of April, the peak power demand met, or the highest supply of electricity in a day, remained below the 235.32 GW recorded in April 2025.
The broader trend also looks stronger than recent summers. Last year’s peak power demand reached 242.77 GW in June 2025, but stayed below the government’s estimate of 277 GW. In 2024, peak demand hit 250 GW in May, then a record, overtaking the previous all-time high of 243.27 GW set in September 2023.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has projected harsh summers this year. In response, the Centre has asked states and Union Territories to operationalise dedicated Heat Stroke Management Units at all health facilities and ensure adequate preparedness of ambulance services in view of the expected above-normal heatwave days during the summer season.
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Experts said power demand is likely to keep rising, especially in May and June, as heatwaves drive more use of cooling appliances. They added that peak power demand may soon move close to the power ministry’s estimate of 270 GW for this summer season as temperatures continue to rise.