India August Power Demand Hits Record as Non-Solar Prices Surge

India used more electricity in August than ever before.

People used more air conditioners and coolers because temperatures were higher and rainfall was weaker.

Total demand reached about 169 billion units.

The busiest moment of electricity use reached 258 gigawatts.

Electricity was much more expensive outside sunny hours, when solar power was not available.

Solar-hour prices stayed almost unchanged because solar generation helped supply the grid.

Coal power increased, but hydropower declined because there was less rain.

Power plants also had less coal stored than they did last year.

Crisil expects electricity demand to keep growing this fiscal year.