Solar plays key role in stabilising grid as demand exceeds 250 GW during intense heatwave conditions.
Image for illustrative purposes
India: India recorded its highest power demand of the year on 24 April 2026, crossing 250 GW and reaching 251,771 MW in the afternoon. Demand climbed further the next day to around 256.1 GW. The surge coincided with a heatwave, with many of the world’s hottest locations reported across the country. Despite this, grid operations remained stable, supported largely by strong solar generation during daylight hours.
Solar output peaked at 81,539 MW around midday on 24 April, contributing 33.8 % of total electricity generation. During this period, thermal power dropped to 56.3 %, while the overall fossil fuel share declined to 57.3 %. Non-fossil sources made up 42.7 % of supply, with wind contributing a small share, reflecting typical daytime trends.
By the afternoon peak, solar generation reduced to about 57,524 MW, while thermal power increased to meet demand. At night, when demand reached over 240 GW, solar was unavailable, and thermal sources dominated, supported by higher hydro generation, which rose significantly to help balance the system.
The variation in non-fossil contribution, from around 20 % at night to over 40 % during peak solar hours, highlights the growing “duck curve” pattern at a national level. This shift reflects the increasing role of solar in India’s energy mix.
Installed solar capacity has expanded rapidly, growing from about 4 GW in 2015 to over 150 GW today. With demand expected to rise further, solar, alongside storage solutions, will remain central to meeting future energy needs.
Source: Power Peak Digest
#electricity demand#grid stability#heatwave#India#renewable energy#solar energy