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India generates record power to meet demand amid heat wave
India's power producers are generating record amounts of electricity as residents of the world's most populous nation swelter amid an intense heat wave, the power ministry said.
Thursday was the "fourth consecutive day when the peak power demand reached a new all-time high," the ministry said in a statement on X. At the time the post was published, temperatures sizzled at 45.3 degrees Celsius (113.54 degrees Fahrenheit) in the capital, New Delhi.
Today was the 4th consecutive day when the peak power demand (solar hours) reached a new all-time high.
— Ministry of Power (@MinOfPower) May 21, 2026
At 1545 hours (21.5.2026), the peak power demand (solar hours) of 270.82 GW was successfully met.
"This represents a new high in peak demand met," the ministry said, surpassing Wednesday's record.
"The surge in demand appears to be linked to the greater usage of cooling appliances in view of the prevailing weather conditions across the country," it said.
About 62% of the record power generation was met by thermal power, largely coal. Solar power accounted for another 22%, and wind and hydropower accounted for 5% each.
India is the third-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. While it has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2070, it remains heavily reliant on coal.
Despite the ministry's statement on power production, followers of the ministry's X account reported cuts in their districts. The intense heat can overload old wiring and transformers and cause localized blackouts.
Earlier this week, India's weather agency warned of persistent heat waves across northwestern, central and eastern India. Maximum temperatures in certain pockets have risen over 48 degrees Celsius.
