Archive · 21 Sep 2026
How India Can Reduce Summer Power Cuts Through Reform
India produced enough electricity nationally during the summer, but some local areas still lost power.
Gurugram had frequent outages, while nearby Delhi had very few.
This shows that local electricity companies can perform very differently.
One problem may be that local wires and equipment are not strong enough for the growing use of air conditioners.
The article says companies should upgrade these networks before the next summer.
Allowing more than one distributor to serve an area could encourage better service and investment.
Solar panels and batteries could provide and store cheaper electricity close to where people use it.
Gas-powered plants could also be used for a few hours during the busiest periods.
These changes could reduce the need for backup diesel generators within two or three years.
India’s national power supply met record peak demand, but some areas still faced frequent local outages.
Gurugram apartment residents relied on diesel generators, causing additional air and noise pollution.
The article attributes outages partly to distribution networks failing to keep pace with rising air-conditioning demand.
Parallel electricity distributors could bring competition, investment, technology, and faster complaint resolution.
Solar panels, battery storage, and limited use of gas-based plants could help meet summer evening peaks.
- Who
- Indian electricity distribution companies, state governments, regulators, and consumers are central to the issue; the recommendations are presented by retired IAS officer Ajay Shankar.
- What
- The article examines frequent summer power cuts and proposes reforms to improve electricity distribution and meet peak demand.
- When
- The problem occurs during the summer months; the article recommends beginning reforms before the next summer, with a two- to three-year implementation period.
- Where
- The contrast described is between Gurugram, Delhi, Mumbai, and India’s wider electricity distribution system.
- Why
- Outages may result from distribution networks not keeping pace with rising air-conditioning demand, alongside inadequate investment and weak distribution-sector governance.
- National peak demand
- India reached record national peak electricity demand while some localities still experienced outages.
- Gurugram
- Residents of wealthy apartment complexes reportedly faced frequent disruptions and used diesel generators.
- Delhi
- Delhi was described as being practically free of power cuts.
- Consumer choice
- Mumbai has allowed parallel distribution licensees, including Tata Power, BEST, and Adani Electricity, for nearly two decades.
- Proposed network reform
- Distribution capacity should be increased continuously and kept above anticipated demand.
- Renewable solution
- The article recommends solar panels with attractive feed-in tariffs and battery storage at load centres.
- Implementation period
- A two- to three-year runway for the proposed reforms is described as ideal.