India meets all-time highest peak power demand of 256.1 GW without shortage
India met its all-time highest peak electricity demand of 256.1 GW at 15:38 hrs on 25 April 2026 without any shortage, surpassing the previous record of 250 GW set on 30 May 2024, the Ministry of Power said.
Summary
India's all-time highest peak electricity demand of 256.1 GW was met on 25 April 2026 at 15:38 hrs without any shortage, while electricity exports to neighbouring countries continued, the Ministry of Power said on 28 April 2026. The record surpassed the previous all-time high of 250 GW recorded on 30 May 2024 and the peak of 245.4 GW seen on 9 January 2026. Electricity consumption grew 8.9% during 1–27 April 2026 over the same period last year. The ministry credited record capacity addition of around 65 GW in FY 2025–26 and coordination among NLDC, RLDCs, SLDCs and generators, and said the expected demand of around 270 GW this year can be met. Grid frequency at the time of peak was 50.00 Hz.
Key facts
- Peak demand met
- 256.1 GW (256,117 MW), 25 April 2026, 15:38 hrs
- Previous all-time high
- 250 GW on 30 May 2024
- FY 2025–26 peak
- 245.4 GW on 9 January 2026
- Consumption growth
- 8.9% (1–27 April 2026, year-on-year)
- Capacity added FY 2025–26
- ~65 GW (record)
- Expected 2026 peak
- ~270 GW
- Grid frequency at peak
- 50.00 Hz
Practice MCQs 3 questions
India met its all-time highest peak power demand on 25 April 2026. What was the demand met?
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Correct answer: C — 256.1 GW
The Ministry of Power said India met an all-time high peak demand of 256.1 GW on 25 April 2026 at 15:38 hrs.
Before 25 April 2026, India's previous all-time high peak power demand of 250 GW was recorded on:
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Correct answer: D — 30 May 2024
The previous all-time high of 250 GW was recorded on 30 May 2024; the FY 2025–26 peak was 245.4 GW on 9 January 2026.
Consider the following statements about the April 2026 record power demand: 1. India added a record of around 65 GW of generation capacity during FY 2025–26. 2. Electricity exports to neighbouring countries were suspended to meet the peak. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The ministry cited record capacity addition of around 65 GW in FY 2025–26, and said exports to neighbouring countries were maintained, so only statement 1 is correct.