El Nino set to dent India’s wind, hydropower output; coal may fill the gap

A policy-and-research analysis indicates that India’s power system could face strain from El Niño conditions.

The study projects that weaker wind and hydropower output, coupled with rising electricity demand—especially from increased air-conditioning needs—could create an annual generation shortfall of nearly 18 terawatt-hours by the year ending June 2027.

While the projected gap is small relative to India’s total generation, the analysis warns that the critical risk is how the shortfall would be met.