India, May 27 -- India's electricity grid is facing a structural shift as intensifying heatwaves, rapid urbanisation and rising cooling demand push power consumption to unprecedented levels, as India touched a record peak power demand during the ongoing heatwave spell, with residential cooling demand now overtaking industrial demand growth in several regions.

According to the National Power Portal, India's peak power demand shot up to 270.8 gigawatt (GW) on May 21, 2026, after daily new peaks of 265.4 GW on May 20, 260.4 on May 19, 257.3 on May 18 and 238.4 on May 17, 2026.

A report or briefing, From Heatwave to Grid Wave, prepared by Climate Trends-a New Delhi-based research, consulting, and strategic communications initiative, highlig...