India is witnessing an unprecedented rise in electricity consumption as intense heatwave conditions continue to grip several parts of the country. Data released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday shows that power demand has broken previous records continuously due to soaring temperatures and increased use of cooling appliances.

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According to the Ministry’s statistics, electricity consumption reached 257.37 gigawatts (GW) on May 18. The demand increased further to 260.45 GW on May 19, followed by 265.44 GW on May 20. On May 21, the country recorded the highest power usage at 270.82 GW, marking a fresh all-time high in electricity consumption.

Official sources said that the steep rise in demand is mainly being driven by the extensive use of air conditioners, coolers, fans, refrigeration systems, and industrial cooling units as temperatures continue to remain above normal in many states. The ministry observed that electricity consumption peaks particularly between 2.00 PM and 4.00 PM, when heat intensity remains at its highest during the day.

The sustained increase in power demand has placed considerable pressure on electricity generation and supply systems across the country.

The Energy Ministry has appealed to citizens to use electricity carefully and responsibly to avoid unnecessary strain on the national power grid. Consumers have been advised to switch off unused electrical appliances, maintain energy-efficient usage practices, and avoid wastage during peak demand hours.

Several regions have already reported temperatures crossing 45 degrees Celsius, resulting in higher dependency on cooling systems both in homes and commercial establishments.

The Central government is also focusing on strengthening the power infrastructure and improving generation capacity to meet the growing energy needs during extreme weather conditions.