India’s peak power demand has already crossed 200 gigawatts (Gw), the highest for the month of April, as temperatures soar across the country. Since 2018, the peak power demand during the month has increased by more than 100 per cent, and has even crossed the previous record of 192 Gw, which was sharply high following Covid-triggered economic disruptions.
As the country gears up for the sweltering heat which would spike electricity demand, coal-based power is running the show. A senior power generation executive said between April 14 and 15, some 163 Gw of coal-based power was running during night hours – the highest ever in the history of the country. This translated to 2.4 million tonnes (mt) of coal consumption, said the executive.
