India's peak power demand exceeded 260 GW on September 8, following 257 GW a day earlier, and has mostly stayed above 249 GW this month, an unusually high figure for September, local media reported on September 10.

In the same period last year, peak demand ranged from 198 GW to 211 GW. A government official said that dry weather and weak rainfall affected by El Nino pushed up demand for cooling and irrigation, with much of the irrigation demand occurring in morning hours.

By comparison, India's peak demand had reached 271 GW in May, when summer brought above-normal temperatures and more heat wave days.

Hydro generation over September 1-8 stood at 6.04 TWh, falling about 10.3% from a year ago. Slower hydro output, particularly during non-solar hours, weighed on thermal projects.

About 58 thermal power plants in India have been operating with critically low coal stocks, due to strong demand, faster fuel use and seasonal supply drops caused by rain in coal-producing regions. This has led the government and coal firms to raise supplies and improve rake loading.

A government official said stocks are expected to rise further in the coming days. High demand and lower coal inventories at plants leave thermal generators with little room for extended maintenance or supply interruptions.