India's Power Demand Surge: Future Projections and Strategies

India's peak power demand is forecast to reach 270 GW next fiscal year, rising to 446 GW by 2035. Despite projections, current demand fell short due to weather conditions. The Central Electricity Authority aims to increase capacity by 40 GW this year. A 10-year power sector plan is pending approval.

India's power landscape is on the brink of significant transformation, with peak demand expected to soar to 270 GW in the next fiscal year and escalate to 446 GW by 2035, according to Central Electricity Authority Chairperson Ghanshyam Prasad.

The shortfall in this year's projections, attributed to cooler weather conditions, saw peak demand remaining around 250 GW, shy of the projected 260 GW. To address future demands, the government is set to amplify its capacity by 40 GW this financial year, distributed among various energy sources including thermal, solar, wind, hydro, and nuclear.

A comprehensive 10-year development strategy for the power sector, focusing on generation, transmission, and distribution, has been drafted and awaits approval. The initiative will roll out on October 14-15, targeting states like Delhi and Maharashtra initially.

(With inputs from agencies.)