India's Summer Peak Stops at About 242 GW as Early Rains Cut Cooling Demand
India's electricity demand peaked at about 242 gigawatts in June 2025, according to the power ministry, and was met with no shortage. That is below the all-time record of about 250 GW set on 30 May 2024 during a severe heatwave, and well below the 277 GW that the Central Electricity Authority had projected for the 2025 summer. India's power demand has been rising quickly for years, driven by economic growth, urbanisation, the electrification of households and the spread of cooling appliances.
The relationship between temperature and demand is now so strong that a cooler or wetter summer can hold peak demand flat or below the previous year, as happened in 2025. In 2024, the grid operator relied heavily on coal plants, imported coal and emergency measures to meet the record peak, including requiring imported coal-based plants to run at full capacity and deferring maintenance. India has also added large amounts of solar capacity, which helps meet daytime demand.
Lower power demand in the summer of 2025 reduced India's coal consumption relative to forecasts. The International Energy Agency and other forecasters still expect Indian coal demand to grow over the rest of the decade, because electricity demand is rising faster than renewable additions can cover in all hours. The contrast between 2024 and 2025 shows the year-to-year variability in Indian weather, which is driven by the monsoon, El Niño and La Niña patterns, and longer-term warming.
The Central Electricity Authority's projections for peak demand assume continued growth, reaching much higher levels by 2030 and beyond. Distribution companies in several Indian states face financial pressure because tariffs do not cover costs and because of high losses. A newer source of load is starting to appear in Indian demand forecasts. India's government and several states have heat action plans that include measures such as adjusting working hours and providing water and shade. The government has also directed states to ensure adequate supply during summer months, including through advance procurement and the use of imported coal-based plants.