India has reached a new milestone in electricity consumption as an extreme heatwave continues to grip large parts of the country. According to the Ministry of Power, electricity demand has surged to record levels for four consecutive days, driven largely by widespread use of cooling appliances such as air conditioners and fans.
On the latest peak day, at around 3:45 pm in New Delhi—where temperatures climbed to a scorching 45.3°C—the country successfully met a peak power demand of 270.82 gigawatts. This figure has now surpassed the previous day’s record of 265.44 GW, marking a continuous upward trend in electricity usage.
Officials noted that the spike in demand is closely linked to the extreme weather conditions affecting much of India, the world’s most populous nation. As temperatures continue to soar, households, businesses, and public services are relying heavily on electricity to cope with the heat.
The energy mix during this period showed thermal power, primarily coal-based generation, contributing about 62 percent of total output. Renewable sources also played a significant role, with solar energy providing 22 percent, while wind and hydropower contributed around five percent each.
Despite the record supply meeting national demand, reports from some regions indicated localized power cuts, likely due to strain on older infrastructure such as transformers and transmission lines. Such issues are not uncommon during extreme heat, which can overload local grids.
India typically experiences intense heatwaves between April and June, but experts warn that climate change is making these events longer, more frequent, and more severe. The India Meteorological Department also reported extreme readings this week, including 47.6°C in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, while earlier in the week temperatures reached up to 48.2°C in some areas. The highest temperature ever officially recorded in India remains 51°C in Phalodi, Rajasthan.
As the country continues to expand its energy capacity while balancing climate commitments to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, the growing demand during extreme weather events highlights the urgent need for a more resilient and sustainable power system.
Even as record supply meets record demand, the lived reality for many citizens remains challenging under relentless heat, where electricity becomes not just a utility, but a lifeline.
