Heatwave Hits India, Peak Power Demand Hits Record Highs

Central News Agency (New Delhi, 22nd) The Ministry of Power in India, the world's most populous nation, stated that large areas continue to experience intense heatwaves, with peak power demand repeatedly hitting record highs and being 'successfully met.' According to AFP, the Ministry of Power noted in a statement that yesterday marked the 'fourth consecutive day of peak power demand reaching a historical high.' According to the statement, at 3:45 PM local time yesterday, as temperatures in the capital, New Delhi, soared to 45.3 degrees Celsius, the national peak power demand reached 270.82 GW (Gigawatts), and was 'successfully met.' The ministry stated, 'This sets a new record for meeting peak demand,' surpassing the 265.44 GW record set on the 20th. The ministry posted on social media last night that 'the surge in demand appears to be related to the increased use of cooling equipment.' Regarding the power generation mix, thermal power (mainly coal) accounts for 62% of total generation, solar for 22%, wind and hydro for 5% each, with the remainder from other sources. India is the world's third-largest greenhouse gas emitter, and while it has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, it remains highly dependent on coal-fired power. For this South Asian nation of 1.4 billion people, extreme heat between April and June is common. Years of scientific research show that climate change is making heatwaves longer, more frequent, and more severe. The India Meteorological Department stated that the highest temperature in the country yesterday was 47.6 degrees in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, about 450 kilometers southeast of New Delhi. The highest official temperature recorded in India was 51 degrees in Phalodi, Rajasthan, in 2016.