India's winter power spike is drawing significant attention after a year of relatively muted electricity demand growth. In December 2025, India's peak electricity demand surged, reaching a high of 241,201 MW. This spike is particularly noteworthy considering that for several months prior, peak demand had remained under 230 GW, even lagging behind the previous year's figures at times.
The surge in demand can be attributed to a combination of factors. Colder temperatures across the northern regions of India led to a greater reliance on heating appliances in residential and commercial settings. Increased industrial activity and year-end commercial operations also contributed to the elevated demand. The rise in electricity consumption was also fueled by increased use of heating appliances like geysers and blowers.
This winter's increased demand marks a clear reversal from the subdued consumption patterns seen earlier in the fiscal year. Several months saw total electricity consumption decline, including May, June, October and November. A prolonged monsoon and favorable weather conditions tempered electricity usage, even during the peak summer months. However, December saw a resurgence, with power consumption rising by approximately 7% compared to the same period last year.
The recent surge in electricity demand highlights the necessity for continuous expansion of generation capacity and robust grid planning. India's power sector has been actively working to increase generation, improve transmission capabilities, and implement storage solutions to bolster grid reliability. There have been substantial capacity additions, especially in renewables, and improved coal stocks at thermal plants, which have helped maintain a stable supply. In fact, by August 2025, India had already achieved 50% of its cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources.
Looking ahead, experts predict that electricity consumption will remain steady in January as cold conditions persist. The India Meteorological Department has forecasted continued cold wave conditions, suggesting that demand will likely remain robust. Government estimates project a peak power demand of up to 277 GW for the summer of 2025. Moreover, India's electricity demand is forecast to grow at an average of 6.3% annually over the next three years, exceeding the 2015-2024 average growth rate of 5%. This sustained increase underscores the importance of continued investments in the power sector to meet the country's growing energy needs.
In the capital city of Delhi, peak power demand is also nearing record levels, with projections estimating it will touch around 6,000 MW this season. Power distribution companies are preparing to meet this increased demand, with a significant portion of the supply coming from green sources.
The winter power spike serves as a reminder of the evolving nature of India's power demand and the need for long-term planning and investment in the power infrastructure.
