In a significant achievement for India's power sector, renewable energy sources effectively supplemented thermal power to meet an unprecedented peak demand of 250 gigawatts (GW) on May 30, 2024. According to the Ministry of Power (MoP), the strategic integration of solar and wind energy was pivotal in managing the record daytime peak, marking a milestone in the country's energy generation efforts.

On this historic day, renewables accounted for 15% of the total power generated, providing 891 million units (MU) out of the total 5,884 MU. Solar power contributed 421.19 MU, with Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka being the leading contributors. Wind energy added 437.38 MU, with substantial inputs from Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan.

The MoP emphasized the crucial support from renewable energy, highlighting its importance during solar hours and non-solar hours. Despite the significant contribution from renewables, thermal power remained the backbone of India's energy mix, meeting 176 GW of the peak demand and supplying 4,010 MU, or 68% of the total power generated.

Hydroelectricity also played a role, generating 541 MU. Regional contributions were notable, with South India generating 27.28% of the total renewable energy and North India 15.12%.

The surge in demand was not isolated to a single day. On May 29, the daytime peak demand reached 246 GW, with renewables generating 1,048 MU of the 5,814 MU produced from all sources. The all-India non-solar demand hit a record high of 234.3 GW, driven by weather-related loads and rising industrial and residential consumption.

Meeting the 250 GW peak demand was lauded by the ministry as a testament to the coordinated efforts of government agencies, power generation companies, and grid operators. The strategic implementation of Section 11 of the Electricity Act, which allows for government-directed operation of generating stations in extraordinary circumstances, was instrumental in maximizing output from imported coal- and gas-based plants. This provision has been invoked by both the Union government and states like Karnataka at critical times.

The ministry praised the commitment to enhancing generation capacity and optimizing resource allocation, which have been crucial in addressing the country's growing energy needs. "This surge further underscores the significant capacity and operational efficiency of India's thermal power plants, which continue to be a backbone of the nation's energy mix," the ministry stated.

Anticipating higher energy demands this summer, the government had proactively implemented measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply, avoiding any load shedding. This proactive approach and the robust performance of India's power sector underscore the nation's progress in meeting its energy challenges.