New Delhi, March 4
India's power consumption increased to 131.54 billion units (BU) in February this year, from 127.34 BU in the same month last year, according to official figures.
The highest supply in a day to meet peak power demand also rose to 238.14 GW during the month compared to 222 GW in February 2024.
The peak power demand touched an all-time high of about 250 GW in May 2024. The previous all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023.
According to government estimates, peak power demand is expected to touch 270 GW in the summer of 2025.
The power demand is expected to rise in March, which is expected to be hotter than usual, according to the latest IMD projections. February has already recorded the highest temperatures for the month since 1901.
India is the fastest growing major economy of the world, which has led to a sharp rise in electricity consumption as well. The challenge is to meet the energy needs of high economic growth and electricity consumption of about 1.3 billion people.
According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the projected All-India peak electricity demand for the year 2026-27 is 277.2 GW and the electrical energy requirement is 1907.8 BU, while for 2031-32, the figures are 366.4 GW and 2473.8 BU respectively, as per the 20th Electric Power Survey (EPS) demand projections.