India experienced its highest electricity shortfall in over three years in September, driven by increased demand, hot weather, and reduced hydropower, prompting government intervention to stabilise the grid.
India recorded its steepest electricity shortage in more than three years in September, even as coal-fired plants ran at elevated levels, according to government data cited by local media. The squeeze points to the strain on the power system as industrial activity strengthens and weather patterns push demand higher, with warmer, drier conditions increasing the use of electricity for cooling and irrigation.
Business Standard reported that the month’s deficit was the largest in nearly a decade, with daily peak shortfalls of more than 2 gigawatts on many days and the energy gap the worst for September since 2017. The paper said weak monsoon rains reduced hydropower availability, while hot weather lifted consumption across the country.
The Economic Times said power use rose 11.3% from a year earlier to 162 billion units in September, while peak demand hit a record 269 gigawatts. It added that generation at NTPC increased by 12.5% and Coal India lifted output by 9.2%, underscoring how hard the system has been pushed by stronger demand and tighter supply conditions.
Despite the rise in shortages, the grid remained broadly stable. Rediff reported that the electricity shortfall climbed to 544 million units in September, more than five times August’s 98 million units, but still amounted to only 0.6% of total demand. To help meet the expected seasonal rise in consumption, the Centre has ordered more than 100 captive coal-based plants to run at full capacity from 1 October through the end of the year.
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