New Delhi, April 23 -- India's early and intense summer is already pushing electricity demand towards the highest levels seen during peak summer last year, challenging the country's power system for the weeks ahead.

Peak demand has risen to nearly 240 GW this week amid rising use of cooling appliances, up from about 215 GW end March, according to the Grid Controller of India. With the weather bureau warning of sustained above-normal temperatures, demand is seen rising further, raising the likelihood of new records this season.

The record high power demand so far is 250 GW seen on 30 May, 2024. The highest level of the 2025 summer was 242.77 GW seen in June.

Apex power sector planning body, the Central Electricity Authority, sees India'...