Metro India News | NEW DELHI 

Power consumption in India increased 3.8 per cent to 142.74 billion units in January, up from 132.5 billion units during the same month last year. The rise is attributed to higher usage of heating appliances amid the intense cold affecting several northern states.

Government data showed that peak power demand, or the highest supply during the month, also grew to 245.42 gigawatts (GW) compared to 237.31 GW in January 2025. While the all-time peak demand reached around 250 GW in May 2024, September 2023 recorded a previous high of 243.27 GW.

Experts noted that the extended cold spells in December and January, accompanied by rain and occasional snowfall in some northern regions, drove up electricity usage. Appliances such as geysers and blowers contributed significantly to the increased demand.

The higher consumption reflects how extreme winter conditions can influence power grids, especially in northern India where temperatures dropped sharply.

According to the India Meteorological Department, February is expected to be warmer, with below-normal rainfall, particularly in the Himalayan region. The IMD also indicated that drier winters in the region may be linked to broader climate change trends.