Power consumption in the country rose three point eight per cent to 142.74 billion units (bn) in January from 132.5 billion units a year earlier, driven largely by increased use of heating appliances as cold conditions intensified across northern India. Government data show that the peak power demand met rose to 245.42 gigawatts (GW) in January from 237.31 GW recorded in January 2025, reflecting higher simultaneous load on the grid.

The peak power demand had touched an all?time high of about 250 GW in May 2024, while the previous record of 243.27 GW was recorded in September 2023, indicating seasonal and long?term variability in demand patterns. The use of heating appliances such as geysers and blowers increased during December and continued into January with spells of rain and reports of snowfall in some areas, which together elevated both instantaneous demand and overall consumption.

Extreme cold weather conditions contributed to higher electricity consumption in various regions, placing additional pressure on distribution networks and supply planning even as system operators worked to balance generation and demand. The meteorological agency has indicated that February is expected to be warmer with below normal rains, particularly in the Himalayan region, a drier winter that has been linked by experts to broader patterns associated with climate change and that may alter short?term consumption dynamics.

The rise in winter demand underscores the importance of grid readiness, flexible generation capacity and timely demand forecasting to avoid stress on infrastructure and maintain supply security during peak periods. Continued monitoring of weather patterns and consumer behaviour will be required to guide operational decisions, while policymakers may need to consider measures that address seasonal spikes without introducing undue strain on systems.