Kerala's Peak Electricity Demand Surpasses 6,000 MW Amid Heatwave

For the first time in history, Kerala's peak electricity demand has exceeded 6,000 megawatts (MW), reaching a record 6,012 MW on April 14, 2026. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) attributes this surge primarily to scorching summer temperatures driving increased air conditioner usage, alongside factors like electric vehicle charging and a shift to electric cooking due LPG shortages. Compounding the supply challenge, summer rainfall has been 31% below normal, forcing KSEB to minimize internal hydel generation to preserve reservoir levels. Current storage stands at 36%, with strict reserves required for the upcoming monsoon season. Consequently, hydel sources contributed only a fraction of the daily consumption. Officials had anticipated this demand spike and plan to manage potential further increases by boosting output from the Idukki power project and procuring power through exchanges. A previous report by the Energy Management Centre predicted that peak demand could exceed 7,000 MW by 2026-27, driven by a 15% annual growth in air conditioning energy use. The Power Department is scheduled to review the state's power position to ensure grid stability during this critical period.