India's power consumption witnesses 11.62% growth in June amid heatwave
India's power consumption witnessed a 11.62 per cent growth to 166.46 billion units (BU) in June 2026 as compared to 149.13 BU in the corresponding month last year, due to heat wave conditions and late onset of monsoon across the country, which pushed usage of cooling appliances like air conditioners.
The peak power demand also jumped to 264.76 Gigawatt (GW) in June 2026 from 242.77 GW in June 2025. The peak power demand had jumped to an all-time record high of 270.82 GW in May from 230.99 GW recorded in May 2025 amid heat wave conditions. The peak power demand touched an all-time record high for four days in a row in May this year. The peak power demand was at a record high of 257.37 GW on May 18, 260.45 GW on May 19, 265.44 GW on May 20 and 270.82 GW on May 21. Prior to this, the highest demand recorded this year was 256.11 GW on April 25. Earlier, the peak power demand had touched an all-time high of about 250 GW in May 2024.
The power ministry had earlier projected that peak electricity demand would touch 270 GW during the summer of 2026. Last summer, the peak power demand was 242.77 GW, recorded in June 2025, but stayed below the government's estimate of 277 GW.
