Heatwave Impact: India's Power Consumption Sees Dramatic Rise

India's electricity demand increased by 41% in the summer of 2023 when India witnessed severe heatwaves, with temperatures crossing 50°C in some areas. Climate Trends' report pinpointed the direct correlation between increasing temperatures and energy usage, with peak demand hitting 220 gigawatts across the country. The spike put pressure on India's power grid, signaling the need for energy reforms and greater utilization of renewable energy.

Effect of Increasing Temperature on Electric Demand:-
The report revealed that India had 73 heatwave incidents when temperatures went above 37°C and 50 occasions when the mercury went past 40°C. The most severely affected regions, central and eastern India, witnessed rises in temperatures of as much as 24% higher than normal trends. Facts discovered that electricity consumption escalated rapidly once temperatures went above 24°C because of the extensive use of cooling devices like air conditioners and fans.

The average annual power consumption was 181 GW, but it peaked at 185 GW during summer periods, which put pressure on the nation's power grid. Because urban regions suffered the peak demand since they depend on cooling technology, the specialists cautioned that if drastic energy reforms are not done, peak demands in summers will keep putting pressure on the system.

Higher Energy Use and Emissions:-
To keep pace with the increasing demand, energy produced by fossil fuels grew by 2,853 million units, an increase of 3%, and contributed 2 million tons to carbon dioxide emissions. Renewable sources of energy also saw an increase of 4%, and 1,351 million units more were produced. Fossil fuels, though, were still the dominant source of energy, contributing 76% of India's total power generation, and renewable energy contributing 21%.

Even as clean energy expansion has been attempted, fossil fuel dependence remains a challenge to meeting carbon reduction commitments. The report explained that unless there is complete modernization of the grid as well as increases in renewable energy, increasing summer heat will also strain the power sector further.

Urban and Rural Energy Divide:-
The research identified marked variations in energy use in urban and rural areas. Urban areas experienced significantly increased electricity demand with increased access to cooling devices, while rural areas remained limited by inadequate infrastructure. Certain states recorded unprecedented increases in electricity demand, with Mizoram recording a 110% increase, followed by Manipur (93%) and Tripura (89%).

This expanding gap requires efficient distribution of energy and development of rural infrastructure to provide equitable access to electricity. Disappearance of this gap is critical to guaranteeing an energy secure supply since climatic conditions continue to worsen.

Policy Recommendations for Sustainable Energy Management:-
The report demanded that policy steps be taken promptly to combat the energy crisis following a spell of hot weather. Top recommendations included speeding up the shift to renewable energy, enhancing power grids, and creating energy-efficient cooling technologies. The research also recommended the creation of energy storage technology and better demand management practices to avoid grid collapse.

While India is grappling with global warming temperatures, visionary energy planning is necessary to cut fossil fuel dependence and avert high emissions. Modernization of power grids and growth in renewable energy capacity will be the key to ensuring long-term energy security and sustainability.

Source: Climate Trends Report on India’s electricity demand surge in 2023.