Demand for electricity reached its peak with summer, demand reached record level on May 23
The maximum electricity demand reached a new season high of 236.59 GW on Thursday. According to the power ministry data, the maximum demand for electricity or the maximum supply during the day was recorded at 236.59 GW on Thursday, which is the highest so far in the summer season this year. An all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023.
India's power demand hit a season-new high of 236.59 GW on Thursday as rising mercury levels in various parts of the country forced excessive use of cooling appliances like air conditioners and coolers.
According to power ministry data, the maximum demand for electricity or the highest supply during the day was recorded at 236.59 GW on Thursday, the highest so far in the summer season this year. According to Power Ministry data, the maximum demand for electricity on Wednesday had reached a season's highest level of 235.06 GW.
In September 2023, a record-breaking peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded. This summer is predicted to break the record. Peak power demand was predicted by the power ministry earlier this month to be 235 GW during the day 225 GW at night for May 2024, and 240 GW during the day and 235 GW at night for June 2024.
Furthermore, according to estimates from the power ministry, there may be a maximum demand for electricity this summer of 260 GW.
According to data, the peak power demand in April 2024—when the summer season began to arrive in various parts of the nation—was 224.18 GW. In January, it was 223.51 GW, in February, it was 222.16 GW, and in March it was 221.82 GW.
During May, the maximum supply reached 233 GW on 6 May and 233.80 GW on 21 May. In May 2023 it was recorded at 221.42 GW. Last week, the peak power supply reached 229.57 GW on May 18, while it was around 226 GW on May 15, 16 and 17. The maximum supply was 229.77 GW on May 4 and 228.71 GW on May 20.
Industry experts believe power demand could rise further to surpass the all-time high of 243.27 GW recorded in September 2023.
Earlier in March this year, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that India is likely to experience more heat and more heatwave days this year, with El Nino conditions predicted to continue till at least May.
It said that from March to May, the number of heat wave days is likely to be above normal in most parts of the country except Northeast India, the Western Himalayan region, South Western Peninsula, and the West Coast.
