New Delhi: India’s power sector witnessed a historic milestone as the country’s peak power demand surged to a record-breaking 250 GW on May 30, propelled by a combination of weather-related loads and escalating industrial and residential power consumption.
The Ministry of Power disclosed this significant achievement on Thursday, highlighting the burgeoning energy needs of the nation.
The staggering demand for electricity was accompanied by a notable surge in non-solar hours demand, which peaked at an unprecedented 234.3 GW the day before, as confirmed by government reports. Notably, the northern region achieved an all-time high ‘demand met’ of 86.7 GW, while the western region closely followed suit, reaching a peak of 74.8 GW.
Thermal generation emerged as a pivotal contributor, achieving a peak of 176 GW, particularly during non-solar hours. The implementation of section 11 of the Electricity Act played a crucial role in maximizing generation from imported coal-based and gas-based plants, thereby augmenting overall power supply, as highlighted by the Ministry.
Additionally, support from renewable energy sources, notably solar and wind, played a significant role in meeting the escalating demand, particularly during specific hours of the day. The government underscored the importance of renewable energy integration in ensuring a sustainable and resilient power supply. The surge in peak power demand this month can be attributed primarily to heightened cooling requirements, with vast regions of the country grappling with heatwave conditions and record-high temperatures. The previous peak demand record stood at 246 GW, indicating a steady upward trajectory in energy consumption.
Comparatively, last year witnessed a peak demand of 221 GW in May, owing to milder temperatures and fewer instances of heatwave conditions. However, in the fiscal year 2023-24, the peak demand was recorded in September, reaching 243 GW.
The surge in peak power demand underscores the critical need for robust infrastructure and efficient energy management strategies to meet the evolving energy needs of the nation. As India continues its journey towards sustainable development, initiatives to enhance power generation capacity and promote renewable energy adoption will be pivotal in ensuring energy security and resilience in the face of escalating demand.
