Ensuring reliable power in the times of heat stress

Though parts of India may have seen a wetter April and May this year, rising heat remains a concern.

- 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) recently warned of heatwave conditions in parts of Rajasthan and Haryana, and above-normal maximum temperatures across most parts of the country. Moreover, 57% of India’s districts now face “high” to “very high” heat risk, according to a new study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW). This puts a significant strain on lives, livelihoods, and the power grids of a growing economy. Summer is a period of high electricity bills and cooling requirements, with peak demand growing higher each year.

In April, India’s peak electricity demand was 5% higher than last year’s, with total consumption rising by 2%. Space cooling — one of the fastest-growing uses of electricity — is a key contributor to the rise. While the IMD has forecast a cooler May than initially estimated, many regions of the country are still expected to face above-normal heatwave days and hotter nights. So, how can we ensure that electricity remains reliable during rising heat stress? Immediate and long-term measures are needed across the electricity value chain.