India hits record power demand during heat wave, with solar providing a fifth of peak generation

India experienced record-high power demand over the weekend as a heat wave swept across the country, driven by household air conditioning use.

Solar energy accounted for a fifth of total generation during peak demand on Saturday, while New Delhi also ramped up coal and gas-fired power generation to meet the surge.

The government expects electricity consumption to keep rising this year and plans to rely more on coal and hydropower to meet demand.