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The country's peak power demand soared to 255.85 GW on Monday, reaching the record level for the second time within three days, driven by intense heatwave conditions that pushed usage of cooling appliances like air-conditioners and desert coolers. The surge in power demand, amid severe heatwave conditions across the north, central and western India, resulted in a significant rise in energy consumption, as users relied on air-conditioners and cooling devices to beat the heat. According to the power ministry data, peak power demand was recorded at 255.85 GW (nearly 256GW) on Monday, which was a tad below the highest-ever peak demand recorded at 256.11 GW on Saturday. Peak power demand started surging in the second half of this month and touched 252.07 GW on April 24. The power ministry on Tuesday said, "India has successfully met its all-time highest peak electricity demand of 256.1 GW on 25th April 2026 at 15:38 hrs without any shortage, while simultaneously maintaining electricity
The power sector has led rating upgrades in the fiscal year 2025-26 on improved execution as well as stable operations, said rating agency ICRA on Wednesday. The power sector emerged as one of the key drivers of rating upgrades in FY2026, supported by improved project execution, stable operating performance and strengthening parent profiles, according to the ICRA statement. The sector witnessed a significant improvement in credit metrics during the year, with its credit ratio rising to 5.2 in FY2026, compared to 3.4 in FY2025 and 2.9 in FY2024, indicating a sustained increase in upgrades relative to downgrades. This improvement reflects easing project risks, stabilisation of operations for commissioned assets and steady cash flow generation. Rating upgrades in the sector were driven by factors such as project completion, track record of stable operating performance and strengthening of parent credit profiles. The sector also benefited from continued policy support, infrastructure p