In a major reprieve to power generators and suppliers, India’s power consumption dipped in May due to unseasonal rains and the early onset of monsoon.
In what is otherwise a very hot, dry month, power consumption dipped over 4 per cent to 148.71 billion units (BU) in May this year, compared to a year-ago when it was recorded at 155.15 BU, according to official data.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), the monsoon hit the Kerala coast on May 24, 2025, eight days ahead of its normal schedule. As unseasonal rains brought down temperatures, consumption of electricity also reduced, especially by high-wattage appliances like air conditioners and desert coolers.
The highest supply in a day (peak power demand met) in May dipped to about 231 GW last month, from around 250 GW in May 2024.
The previous all-time high peak power demand of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023.
According to government estimates, peak power demand is expected to touch 277 GW in the summer of 2025, although experts say power demand and consumption will be steady in the coming months.
According to the meteorological department, India is expected to experience hotter-than-usual temperatures from April to June, with more heatwave in Central and Eastern India and the North-western plains.
Minimum temperatures will be higher than usual across most of the country, except for a few places in the Northwest and the Northeast, where temperatures may be normal or slightly below normal, the IMD had said.
The heat wave arrived much earlier in 2025 than last year. In 2024, India reported its first heat wave in Odisha on April 5, but parts of the Konkan and coastal Karnataka experienced heat waves as early as February 27-28 this year.
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