Rising mercury powers electricity demand to April record of 202 Gw

Executives at state-run power units say coal stock situation is comfortable currently, due to reprieve in weather in March, which allowed units to stock up the fuel

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