India struggles with power cuts after heatwave increases electricity demand

India is experiencing power outages in some areas due to record-breaking heat. The government has asked consumers to 'limit their use'.

Residents in Chennai's manufacturing and information technology hub said that El Nino is causing temperatures to be above average in the summer months of May. Nighttime power outages can last from 40 minutes up to an hour.

South Chennai has experienced frequent power outages?over the last two days.

Grid-India, the national regulator, reported that India's peak power deficit on Thursday evening was approximately 2.57 gigawatts.

The power ministry issued a Friday statement saying that "despite our readiness to supply electricity as needed, we urge everyone to use it judiciously and wisely" due to the summer heat.

Evenings are notoriously short of power, as the supply is heavily dependent on hydropower and thermal sources. Daytime demand can be met in part by solar energy.

Disha Aggarwal is a senior programme leader at the energy and environmental think-tank CEEW. She said that India's power systems are being tested by record heat and soaring electricity demand.

She said that India must urgently "fast-track the commissioning of batteries" to use surplus solar power at night.

Weather authorities forecast severe heatwave conditions for New Delhi and the surrounding areas from Friday, May 27 to Saturday, may 28.

Several people?in New Delhi, and in the nearby city of Noida complained to X about power outages 'during the night.

Residents and media reported that in the eastern coastal state of Odisha some users have protested longer power outages both during the day and at night. Sethuraman N R; Jatindra dash, additional reporting; Nidhh Verma, Clarence Fernandez and Nidhh Verma edited.

(source: Reuters)