READY FOR SUMMER SURGE

India's power sector is all prepared to meet the surge in demand for electricity in the summer months

India’s power sector is gearing up for the summer months, which typically bring with them a surge in electricity demand. According to a recent press release by the Press Information Bureau, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted that northeast, eastern, central, and northwest India will experience above-normal temperatures from March to May. Although no heatwaves are expected in March, certain regions of the Indo-Gangetic Plain and eastern India are anticipated to have temperatures 2-3 degrees Celsius higher than usual in the final week of the month.

SUMMER PREDICTION

Later this year, as La Niña conditions transition to an El Niño summer, the World Meteorological Organization has cautioned about a global temperature increase. There are concerns about potential power cuts during the upcoming summer nights.

According to the Central Electricity Authority’s projections, peak electricity demand is expected to reach 229 GW in April of this year before decreasing as the monsoon season progresses from the southern part of the country and covers the entire country over the next three to four months.

Although the swift installation of solar farms has helped prevent daytime supply shortages, the lack of coal-fired and hydropower capacity may result in widespread outages at night, putting millions at risk.

According to Reuters, India’s power availability during “non-solar hours” this April is predicted to fall by 1.7% below peak demand. The nighttime peak demand in April is expected to reach 217 GW, a 6.4% increase from the highest levels recorded during the same period last year.