India Powers Ahead: Meeting Peak Summer Demand

India is prepared to meet up to 270 GW of peak power demand this summer by mandating thermal plants to run at full capacity. The government assured sufficient coal supplies, while introducing policies for future energy challenges, including launching a domestic carbon market and nuclear expansion.

India stands poised to meet a peak power demand of 270 GW this summer, assured Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal at a press briefing. The government plans to enforce full-capacity operation at thermal plants, especially those using imported coal, to ensure the supply meets demand.

Last year, India successfully met a 250 GW peak demand during summer, coming close to the projected 260 GW. Thermal plants are stocked with 51 million tonnes of coal, enough for 21 days of electricity, while the government considers invoking Section 11 of the Electricity Act to mandate power producers in extraordinary circumstances.

Power Minister Manohar Lal outlined future strategies, including increasing biomass pellet blending from 5% to 7% by 2025, launching a carbon market by 2026, and expanding nuclear power capacity to 16 GW by 2030. Efforts also include addressing right-of-way issues for urban transmission and reducing the power deficit and technical losses.