A new report reveals that rising temperatures and heatwaves are straining India’s power grid, increasing fossil fuel consumption and carbon emissions

India’s peak power demand surged by 41 per cent during the summer months of 2023, primarily driven by rising temperatures and frequent heatwaves, according to a new report by Climate Trends. The increased electricity consumption led to a 3 per cent rise in fossil fuel use, with 2,853 million units of electricity generated from fossil sources, adding more than 2 million tonne of carbon emissions.

The study highlights a direct correlation between extreme heat and higher power consumption, particularly in urban areas where cooling appliances like air conditioners are widespread. However, in rural regions, demand remained relatively flat due to inadequate infrastructure and limited access to cooling devices.

“We have been attributing the surge in electricity consumption solely to economic development, but our analysis shows that heatwaves are significantly contributing to peak power demand,” said Manish Ram, lead analyst of the study.

As India faces increasingly hotter temperatures, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast a hotter-than-usual summer for 2025, which could further strain the power grid. Peak electricity demand in February 2025 already reached 238 GW and is expected to rise as temperatures climb in the coming months.

Climate experts warn that the rising reliance on fossil fuels to meet electricity demand will exacerbate climate change. “The more fossil fuels we burn, the worse heatwaves will get, creating a vicious cycle of rising temperatures and increasing power demand,” said Archana Choudhary, Associate Director at Climate Trends.

The report urges urgent policy measures, including boosting renewable energy capacity, promoting energy-efficient appliances, and improving access to electricity in rural areas to curb the impact of extreme weather events on India’s energy security.