Heatwave Drives India's Power Consumption Up By 9% In June

India's electricity usage increased by almost 9% to 152.4 billion units in June, as compared with the same period last year, primarily due to extreme heat that led to higher use of cooling devices such as air conditioners and desert coolers. In June 2023, power consumption was recorded at 140.27 BU, according to official statistics.

The maximum daily supply (peak power demand met) increased to 245.41 GW in June 2024, as compared to 223.29 GW in the same month the previous year. The peak power demand reached 224.10 GW in June 2023.

In May this year, the peak power demand reached a record high of 250.20 GW. The previous highest peak power demand was 243.27 GW, recorded in September 2023.

Earlier this year, the power ministry had forecast a peak power demand of 235 GW during daytime and 225 GW during evening hours for May, and 240 GW during daytime and 235 GW during evening for June 2024.

The ministry also estimated that peak power demand may hit 260 GW this summer.

Experts told PTI that the scorching heat and humidity in the later part of June, due to the arrival of monsoon rains in many parts of the country, forced people to excessively use cooling appliances, like air conditioners and desert coolers.

This led to increase in power consumption as well as growth in power demand in the country, they said.

Demand for power as well as consumption will continue to be steady in the coming days due to high humidity, which makes use of air conditioners inevitable, they said.

Conditions are favourable for advance of Southwest Monsoon into remaining part of Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana during the next two-three days, according to India Meteorological Department.

Monsoon is likely to cover the entire country in the next three days, as per the latest bulletin on Monday.

(With inputs from PTI).