Hot Weather Drives Record September Power Consumption, Coal Supplies Come Under Pressure
What Happened
India’s peak power demand crossed 260 GW on September 8, remaining unusually high throughout September due to hot, humid weather and deficient rainfall that increased both cooling and irrigation needs. This is significantly higher than the 198-211 GW recorded during the same period last year. Meanwhile, hydroelectric generation fell by about 10.3% year-on-year, forcing greater reliance on thermal power plants.
Key Takeaways
The surge in electricity demand has tightened coal supplies, with around 58 thermal power plants operating with critically low coal inventories. While the government and coal companies have ramped up coal dispatches to power plants, the episode highlights how weather extremes can strain India’s power system and increase dependence on coal when renewable and hydro generation fall short.