India’s Peak Power Demand Hits Record 240 GW: Challenges for Energy Infrastructure and Climate Resilience

In May 2024, India’s power sector reached a significant milestone as peak power demand touched an all-time high of approximately 240 GW. This surge was primarily driven by an intense and prolonged heatwave sweeping across Northern and Central India, which significantly increased the load from cooling appliances in both domestic and commercial sectors. The previous record of 243 GW (projected for the season) was nearly met, highlighting the growing pressure on the national grid. To manage this unprecedented demand and prevent grid instability, the Ministry of Power invoked Section 11 of the Electricity Act, directing all imported coal-based (ICB) power plants to operate at full capacity. Additionally, the government has mandated that all generating stations maintain maximum availability and has postponed planned maintenance of power plants to the monsoon season. These measures reflect a shift toward proactive grid management to avoid the blackouts that characterized previous high-demand summers.