India’s power demand rises in December 2025; wind dips, solar jumps: Grid-India

India’s electricity demand increased year on year in December 2025, while generation trends diverged across renewable sources, according to the Operational Performance Report for December 2025 released by the Grid Controller of India Limited, National Load Despatch Centre.

At the national level, the evening peak demand met at 20:00 hrs reached 208,041 MW, up from 191,554 MW in December 2024. This reflects a year-on-year increase of about 8.6%.

The daily maximum demand during the month touched 241,201 MW on 31 December 2025 at 10:39 hrs, based on 1-minute SCADA data. The system met this demand without any peak shortage.

Energy consumption also rose. Total energy met at the national level stood at 138,421 million units (MU) in December 2025, compared with 130,390 MU in December 2024, marking a year-on-year increase of about 6.1%. The total energy requirement for the month was 138,434 MU, resulting in a marginal energy deficit of 13 MU (0.01%).

System reliability remained stable. The national grid frequency stayed within the 49.90–50.05 Hz band for 77.50% of the time during December 2025, indicating normal grid operations through the month.

Generation trends varied across renewable sources. Hydropower generation at the national level totalled 9,066 MU in December 2025, higher than 8,148 MU recorded in December 2024, indicating a year-on-year increase, even though output declined on a month-on-month basis.

Wind generation declined to 4,525 MU in December 2025 from 5,494 MU a year earlier, reflecting a year-on-year drop of about 17.6%, consistent with seasonal wind patterns.

Solar generation recorded strong growth. National solar output rose to 14,331 MU in December 2025, compared with 9,997 MU in December 2024, representing a year-on-year increase of about 43.4%.

The all-time highest energy consumption is 148,092 MU, recorded in March 2024, while the all-time highest demand met is 250,070 MW, recorded on 30 May 2024.

Power market activity remained robust. Total electricity traded through power exchanges, including the Day-Ahead Market, High Price Day-Ahead Market, and Real-Time Market, amounted to 10,580 MU in December 2025, with active participation across regions and continued cross-border exchanges with Bhutan and Nepal.

Overall, the December data point to sustained growth in electricity demand, strong solar expansion, and stable grid operations as India moves deeper into the 2025–26 financial year.

The featured photograph is for representation only.