The 0.05°C India paradox: Least heat, most at risk?

New Delhi witnessed an unprecedented surge in electricity consumption on September 8, with peak power demand soaring to 260 gigawatts, a significant increase from the previous day's 257 gigawatts. This demand remained consistently above 249 gigawatts throughout the month of September, a rare occurrence for this period. Last year, peak power demand during this same time frame ranged between 198 gigawatts and 211 gigawatts.

The soaring temperatures and lack of rainfall, exacerbated by the impact of the El Nino phenomenon, fueled the need for air conditioning and irrigation, both of which contributed to higher electricity consumption. The government official attributed the increased demand to the morning hours, as this is when these activities are typically performed.

The hydroelectric power generation between September 1 and 8 plummeted by 10.3% compared to the previous year, amounting to just 6.04 billion units. In comparison, the peak power demand reached 271 gigawatts in May this year, driven by higher temperatures and more frequent heat waves. The reduced hydro power generation put pressure on thermal power projects, particularly during non-solar hours, as they struggled to meet the sustained demand.

This situation resulted in around 58 thermal power plants operating with critically low coal inventories, as the higher demand led to faster depletion of the fuel, and the seasonal slump in coal supplies from coal-bearing regions.

In response to the coal shortage, the government and coal companies are taking measures to increase coal supplies and improve rake loading. As of September 6, coal rake loading to the power sector had risen to 444 rakes a day, up from 370 rakes on September 3, according to the coal ministry. Coal stocks at domestic coal-based power plants are currently at approximately 23 million tonnes.

The combination of high demand and limited coal inventories leaves thermal generators with limited flexibility for maintenance or supply disruptions.