India’s power consumption spiked by 11.55% year-on-year to 164.98 billion units in May 2026, driven by the scorching heatwave that led to increased usage of cooling devices like air conditioners and desert coolers nationwide. In comparison, the country consumed 147.89 billion units of electricity in May 2025.
During the same period, peak power demand soared to a record high of 270.82 gigawatts, a significant increase from the 230.99 gigawatts recorded in May of the previous year. This surge in demand highlights the strain on the power grid as households and businesses escalated their electricity usage to combat extreme weather conditions.
The escalating power demand set new records for four consecutive days in May, peaking at 270.82 gigawatts on May 21. This surpasses the previous high of around 250 gigawatts registered in May 2024, aligning closely with the Power Ministry’s forecast of peak electricity demand reaching 270 gigawatts during the summer of 2026.
Experts anticipate that power demand and consumption will remain high in the upcoming weeks, buoyed by forecasts of above-average temperatures. The India Meteorological Department’s prediction of a severe summer suggests that electricity usage will continue to be robust as consumers heavily rely on cooling appliances.
