भारत की अधिकतम विद्युत मांग 256.1 GW तक पहुंची; कोयला थर्मल (66.9%) और सौर (21.5%) प्रमुख आपूर्ति मिश्रण

<h2>Overview</h2> <p>On <strong>25 April 2026</strong>, India recorded a record <span class="key-term" data-definition="Peak demand – the highest electricity load recorded in a given period, crucial for planning capacity and ensuring grid stability (GS3: Economy)">peak demand</span> of <strong>256.1 gigawatts (GW)</strong>. With the summer heat intensifying and an <span class="key-term" data-definition="El Niño – a periodic warming of the central Pacific Ocean that disrupts global weather patterns, often leading to hotter, drier conditions in India (GS3: Environment/Economy)">El Niño</span> forecasted, the country is expected to lean heavily on its traditional <span class="key-term" data-definition="Thermal plants – power stations that generate electricity by converting heat from fossil fuels, primarily coal, into electricity (GS3: Economy)">thermal plants</span> while expanding <span class="key-term" data-definition="Solar power – generation of electricity using photovoltaic panels or solar thermal systems; a key renewable energy source for India’s clean energy goals (GS3: Economy)">solar</span> capacity.</p> <h3>Key Developments (as of 25 April 2026)</h3> <ul> <li>Overall demand reached <strong>256.1 GW</strong>, the highest ever recorded.</li> <li><span class="key-term" data-definition="Coal‑powered thermal plants – power stations that burn coal to produce steam and drive turbines; they dominate India’s electricity mix (GS3: Economy)">Coal‑powered thermal plants</span> supplied <strong>66.9 %</strong> of the electricity generated.</li> <li>Solar generation rose to <strong>21.5 %</strong> of the total mix, reflecting rapid capacity additions.</li> <li>Remaining share (~11.6 %) came from hydro, gas, and other renewables.</li> </ul> <h3>Important Facts</h3> <p>The surge in solar’s share is a direct outcome of the <span class="key-term" data-definition="National Solar Mission – India’s policy framework launched in 2010 to achieve 100 GW of solar capacity by 2022, later revised upward (GS3: Economy)">National Solar Mission</span> and aggressive auction‑based procurement. However, the continued dominance of coal indicates that <span class="key-term" data-definition="Energy security – the uninterrupted availability of energy sources at affordable prices, a priority for India’s development (GS3: Economy)">energy security</span> still relies on fossil fuels.</p> <h3>UPSC Relevance</h3> <p>Understanding the evolving power mix is essential for several GS papers:</p> <ul> <li><strong>GS‑3 (Economy)</strong>: Analyses of electricity demand‑supply dynamics, fiscal implications of subsidies, and the role of renewable energy in meeting climate commitments.</li> <li><strong>GS‑4 (Ethics & Integrity)</strong>: Policy choices balancing economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social equity (e.g., impact on coal‑dependent regions).</li> <li><strong>GS‑2 (Polity)</strong>: Governance mechanisms such as the Ministry of Power, CERC, and st