Peak Power Demand Hits Record 260.45 GW On Tuesday Amid Heatwave

India’s electricity demand touched a historic milestone on Tuesday as the country’s peak power consumption surged to an all-time high of 260.45 GW , driven by rising temperatures and increased use of cooling appliances such as air-conditioners and desert coolers amid severe heatwave conditions.

According to the Ministry of Power, the peak demand of 260.45 GW was successfully met at 15:40 hrs on Tuesday , setting a fresh national record and surpassing Monday’s peak demand of 257.37 GW , which had itself broken the earlier all-time high of 256.11 GW recorded on April 25, 2026.

In a post on X, the ministry said both Monday’s and Tuesday’s peak demand levels were met without any shortfall, indicating that the national grid remained stable despite unprecedented stress during peak summer conditions.

The ministry has projected that India’s peak power requirement could rise further to around 270 GW this summer , as temperatures continue to climb across several states.

The sharp increase in electricity demand coincides with an ongoing heatwave forecast by the India Meteorological Department across northwest and central India. The weather office has warned that isolated pockets of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi are likely to experience heatwave conditions until May 24, while parts of Uttar Pradesh may face severe heatwave conditions from Tuesday onwards.

Extreme temperatures have already been recorded across the region. Bhatinda in Punjab touched 47°C , while several locations in Haryana and Rajasthan reported temperatures above 46°C . Parts of Delhi recorded nearly 44°C , with dry winds and intense daytime heat affecting normal life.

Southern cities have also been witnessing high temperatures and rising humidity levels. Parts of Hyderabad recorded temperatures around 40°C , while Chennai hovered near 38°C with high humidity levels . Bengaluru touched around 35°C , and Vijayawada crossed 42°C in recent days, leading to increased dependence on cooling appliances and higher electricity consumption across residential and commercial sectors.

Experts said electricity demand has been rising steadily since April and accelerated sharply in May due to widespread use of cooling devices by households, businesses, and commercial establishments. They cautioned that consumption may continue to rise if the heatwave persists in the coming weeks.

Last summer, India’s peak power demand stood at 242.77 GW in June 2025 , while May 2024 had recorded 250 GW , which was the highest at that time. The government had earlier estimated that peak demand could touch 277 GW , though actual consumption remained below projections.

Officials said the latest surge highlights the combined impact of extreme climate conditions and rapidly growing electricity consumption across the country.