- India’s peak power demand hit record 265.44 GW Wednesday.
- Demand surged due to intense heatwave and cooling devices.
- Peak electricity demand may reach 270 GW this summer.
India’s peak power demand touched a fresh all-time high for the third consecutive day on Wednesday, driven by soaring temperatures and rising use of cooling appliances across large parts of the country.
According to the Ministry of Power, the country’s peak electricity demand reached 265.44 gigawatts (GW) at 3:45 pm on May 20, and the requirement was successfully met without interruption.
The latest figure surpassed Tuesday’s record peak demand of 260.45 GW.
Demand Crosses Previous Records Within Days
The ministry said the country had already recorded a peak demand of 257.37 GW at 3:42 pm on Monday, May 18, exceeding the earlier record of 256.1 GW registered on April 25, 2026.
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Tuesday’s demand of 260.45 GW then established a new benchmark before Wednesday’s fresh surge pushed the figure to 265.44 GW.
Officials attributed the sharp rise mainly to increased usage of air conditioners, desert coolers and other cooling appliances amid an intense heatwave.
Power Demand May Touch 270 GW This Summer
The Ministry of Power has estimated that India’s peak electricity demand could rise to 270 GW during the summer season.
The rising consumption comes as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heatwave conditions across large parts of northwest and central India this week.
Temperatures crossed 45 degrees Celsius in several areas on Monday.
IMD Warns of Continuing Heatwave Conditions
According to the IMD, heatwave conditions are expected to continue in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and parts of Delhi from Monday till May 24.
The weather department has also forecast heatwave to severe heatwave conditions in parts of Uttar Pradesh from Tuesday onward.
Delhi Power Demand Also Touches Seasonal Peak
As temperatures intensified in the national capital, Delhi’s peak power demand climbed to 7,776 megawatts on Tuesday, marking the highest level recorded so far this summer.
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