By Rajni Pandey | June 19, 2024
Peak power demand in India's northern plains hit a record on June 17 as the government implemented measures to meet high energy consumption amid a severe heatwave.
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts above-normal temperatures for June 2024 in northwest and central India, marking one of the longest heatwave spells.
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Government data indicates nearly 25,000 cases of suspected heat stroke and 56 fatalities across India from March to May 2024 due to extreme heat.
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India's power ministry recently reported peak power demand in the northern region reached 89 gigawatts (GW), the highest ever, presenting a significant challenge since May 17.
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In Delhi, temperatures soared to 44 degrees Celsius (111.2 Fahrenheit) on June 17, with the IMD noting it felt like 49.2 C. The city has experienced temperatures above 40 Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) since May 12.
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Delhi is also facing a water shortage, with temperatures expected to remain high until June 26.
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The power ministry managed to supply electricity to the northern regions by importing 25-30% from neighboring areas and urging utilities to minimize equipment outages.
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This summer, India experienced a record peak power demand of 250GW nationwide, driven by the increased use of air conditioners and cooling appliances.
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Increase in Gas-Fired Power Generation
Sweltering heat and policy measures led to a surge in gas-fired power usage, with generation doubling in April and May to 8.9 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) compared to the same period last year, as reported by Grid India.
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