India's peak power demand hits record for fourth straight day; reaches 270.82 GW on Thursday

Indias peak power demand hit a record high of 270.82 GW on Thursday, surpassing its previous record of 265.44 set on Wednesday, as the prevailing heat wave increased the use of cooling devices like air conditioners and desert coolers.The power ministry had earlier projected that the peak power demand would reach 270 GW this summer.Today Thursday was the 4th consecutive day when the peak power demand solar hours reached a new all-time high.

India's peak power demand hit a record high of 270.82 GW on Thursday, surpassing its previous record of 265.44 set on Wednesday, as the prevailing heat wave increased the use of cooling devices like air conditioners and desert coolers.

The power ministry had earlier projected that the peak power demand would reach 270 GW this summer.

''Today (Thursday) was the 4th consecutive day when the peak power demand (solar hours) reached a new all-time high. At 1545 hours ( May 21, 2026), the peak power demand (solar hours) of 270.82 GW was successfully met,'' the power ministry said in a post on social media platform X.

The ministry also stated that the surge in demand appears to be linked to the greater usage of cooling appliances in view of the prevailing weather conditions across the country.

Today's (Thursday's) peak demand was met with the following mix: thermal 62.8 per cent, solar 22.0 per cent, wind 5.0 per cent, hydro 5.8 per cent and the rest from other sources, it added.

The availability of coal at the thermal power plants is adequate, and the supplies are being effectively monitored, it stated.

The power demand has been hitting record highs since Monday amid rising temperatures. The peak power demand reached 257.37 GW on Monday, followed by another high of 260.45 GW on Tuesday and 265.44GW on Wednesday, according to the power ministry data.

Earlier on Monday at 15:42 hours, the peak power demand hit a record high of 257.37 GW. Monday's peak demand eclipsed the previous all-time high of 256.11 GW recorded on April 25 at 1538 hrs.

On Tuesday, the peak power demand hit a new record high of 260.45 GW at 1540 hrs.

On Wednesday, it reached another record high of 265.44 GW at 1545 hrs.

Meanwhile, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast the continuation of the heat wave this week in large parts of northwest and central India, as the mercury hovered around 45 degrees Celsius in many places.

Large parts of the country witnessed an intensifying heat wave. Soaring temperatures have made life difficult for people in many parts of the country.

The IMD has forecasted harsh summers this year.

The country's peak power demand has risen in line with rising temperatures from April onwards, intensifying further in May.

Experts said demand and consumption of electricity may rise further due to the continued heat wave, which has swept the entire nation and caused the frequent use of air conditioners, air coolers, and other appliances by consumers.

Last summer, the peak power demand was 242.77 GW, recorded in June, 2025, but stayed below the government's estimate of 277 GW.

In May 2024, the peak power demand reached 250 GW, a record at that time and exceeding the previous all-time peak of 243.27 GW set in September 2023.