India's power consumption grew 10.93 per cent year-on-year to 170.70 billion units (bn units) in July, official data showed, as high humidity levels increased use of cooling appliances across many regions. The rise came amid continued monsoon conditions that produced a higher feel-like temperature than the actual thermometer reading, prompting greater reliance on air conditioning and other cooling equipment.

The country's total power consumption was 153.88 billion units in July 2025, underscoring the seasonal escalation in demand. Analysts attributed the jump chiefly to elevated humidity that amplified perceived heat, while distribution companies reported stronger residential and commercial load during evening hours.

Peak power demand also rose markedly, reaching 270.20 gigawatts (GW) in July from 220.74 GW in July 2025, moving close to the all-time peak of 270.82 GW recorded in May. By comparison, peak demand in May last year stood at 230.99 GW and the previous summer's high was 242.77 GW in June 2025, figures that reflect both rising baseline consumption and intermittent spikes driven by weather patterns.

Looking ahead, forecasters expect demand to remain steady into August as humid conditions persist through the ongoing monsoon, sustaining reliance on cooling loads across urban and rural centres. The India Meteorological Department has projected deficient rainfall for this season, a factor that market participants said could influence reservoir levels and generation mixes, and consequently shape dispatch and fuel planning for power firms.