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Induction Cooking Surge to Drive Power Demand; Govt Defers Thermal Maintenance to Add 10 GW Supply

A rapid rise in induction cooktop adoption—triggered by LPG shortages and global energy disruptions—is expected to significantly increase India’s power demand in the coming years. According to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, this shift could add 13–27 GW to peak electricity demand by FY27, prompting policymakers to reassess supply planning ahead of a high-demand summer.

Officials note that India’s peak demand is already projected to reach a record 271 GW this season. The growing use of electric cooking is likely to intensify pressure on distribution networks, especially during morning and evening peak hours. The transition is gaining pace, with a noticeable rise in induction cooktop sales since March 2026, as consumers increasingly turn to electric alternatives amid constrained LPG supply.

Government estimates suggest a 30–40% increase in demand for induction cooktops this fiscal year. Currently, India sells around 10–11 million units annually, with much of the recent growth driven by tier-II cities. Pricing trends also reflect rising demand, with entry-level models witnessing modest increases and premium variants seeing sharper price hikes.

To manage the anticipated surge, the Ministry of Power has deferred scheduled maintenance shutdowns at thermal power plants to ensure higher availability during peak summer months. This move is expected to provide around 10,000 MW of additional capacity, helping offset supply disruptions, including an estimated 8,000 MW shortfall linked to LNG constraints.

In parallel, the government is accelerating capacity additions across multiple energy sources. Approximately 22,361 MW of new capacity is expected to be operational in the next three months, including significant contributions from solar, thermal, battery storage, wind, and hydro projects.

Despite a temporary slowdown, India’s electricity demand remains structurally strong. According to CRISIL Intelligence, power consumption reached a record 149 billion units in March 2026, though year-on-year growth moderated to 1.7% due to unseasonal rainfall and softer industrial activity. Looking ahead, demand is projected to grow by 5.5–6.5% in FY27, driven by rising temperatures and potential weather shifts such as El Niño, which could further increase cooling and electricity needs.