New Delhi: As the mercury soars to record levels, so does the demand for electricity in India.
The daytime electricity demand in the country has surged to record highs over the past four days as a severe heatwave continues to torment large parts of the country. So much so that the government urged citizens to use power judiciously.
In an advisory issued on Friday, the Ministry of Power said peak daytime electricity demand touched 270.82 GW on May 21, the highest-ever recorded so far this summer.
The ministry noted that India’s pow
er demand has been breaking previous records each day since May 18 because of increased cooling needs across households and commercial establishments.
According to data shared by the ministry, daytime peak demand was recorded at — 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.
Peak daytime demand is usually observed between 2 pm and 4 pm, the ministry added.
Assuring that adequate arrangements have been made to meet the rising power demand, the Power ministry appealed to consumers to use electricity “wisely and judiciously” during the intense summer period.
The forecast offers no comfort as oppressive heatwave conditions will continue over several parts of India for a week.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the heatwave is likely to persist over the plains of northwest India, Central and East India, and parts of Peninsular India during the next six to seven days.