Solar infra helps India meet record 256GW power demand

NEW DELHI: Riding on the growing contribution of solar energy to the power generation mix, India comfortably met the peak power demand of 256 gigawatts (GW) on Saturday, the highest ever recorded on a single day, amid soaring temperatures across the country.

At the time of peak demand of 256.1 GW, reached at 3.38pm, solar contributed nearly 57 GW, or about 22% of total generation. Data from Grid Controller of India showed that around 12.30 pm, electricity generation from solar plants and rooftop systems rose to about 81 GW, accounting for roughly one-third of the total generation of 242 GW, underscoring its growing significance in the power mix.

Driven by high consumption, Saturday's demand also surpassed the previous record of 252.1 GW met a day earlier on April 24. The power ministry has projected peak demand to reach 271 GW this year.

While coal-fired plants continue to provide the baseload, officials said the contribution of non-fossil sources - including solar, wind, hydro and nuclear - has increased significantly.

PM Narendra Modi, in 'Mann Ki Baat', stressed the importance of renewables amid global volatility, calling solar and wind key to India's future and urging adoption of clean energy. He also hailed the Kalpakkam fast breeder reactor achieving criticality as a "historic milestone".

Santosh Sarangi, secretary in the ministry of new and renewable energy, said solar generation, including rooftop systems, has been rising rapidly and is playing an important role in meeting peak demand. "With higher installation of battery energy storage systems, it will also be able to meet the evening peak demand in future," he said.

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