On May 22, Delhi’s peak power demand crossed 8,000 megawatts, the highest ever in the national capital’s history
Heatwave in Delhi. Photo for representation: Vikas Choudhary / CSE On May 22, 2024, Delhi continued to reel from severe heat conditions, with Najafgarh recording the highest temperature of 42 degrees Celsius. Residents experienced intense heat stress, a harmful mix of air temperature and relative humidity that worsened thermal discomfort.
Typically, humidity levels are lower during the day and peak at night. On the night of May 22, Delhi's relative humidity rose above 50 per cent and remained high until 8 am and decreased by noon. This increased moisture intensified the risk of heat stress in urban areas.
Delhi's temperature and humidity data is based on the average readings from the Central Pollution Control Board stations where continuous data is available. Source: CSE analysis of temperature and humidity data from CPCB’s website
By 2050, climate change was projected to significantly burden the global healthcare systems, potentially resulting in 14.5 million deaths and causing $12.5 trillion in economic losses worldwide, according to a recent report by the World Economic Forum.
Heatwaves, marked by extended periods of extreme temperatures and high humidity, are expected to have the most substantial economic impact, with productivity losses estimated at $7.1 trillion.
A study conducted by experts at Yale University explored the urban heat effect and its relationship with humidity. Meteorology professor Xuhui Lee explained, “While green vegetation can reduce air temperature through water evaporation, it can also elevate the heat burden due to increased air humidity”. This underscored the intricate balance between urban greenery and heat stress.
The extreme heatwave conditions in Delhi have significantly increased the city’s power demand. On May 22, Delhi’s peak power demand crossed 8,000 megawatts, the highest ever in the national capital’s history, breaking the previous record of 7,695 MW set on June 29, 2022. The minimum power load was also high at 5,109 MW.
Moreover, in April 2024, the peak power demand was higher on 83 per cent of the days compared to of the corresponding period in 2023, with differences reaching up to 32 per cent. This surge in power consumption was largely attributed to residents using more air conditioners and coolers to combat the heat.
Urban areas are struggling with extreme heat, making it crucial to determine whether these rising temperatures are caused by local factors, such as emissions or global climate change. Policymakers need to identify the root causes of increasing urban temperatures to create effective mitigation strategies.
Tackling heat stress in cities like Delhi requires a comprehensive approach. It is vital to understand the complex interplay between temperature, humidity and urban development to devise strategies that can alleviate the negative impacts of extreme heat on city populations.
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