India may need an additional 17.7 terawatt-hours (TWh) of fossil fuel-based electricity generation between July 2026 and June 2027 as the anticipated El Niño weather pattern drives up electricity demand while reducing wind and hydropower output, according to a new analysis by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
The report projects that hotter temperatures associated with El Niño will significantly increase electricity consumption for air conditioning, while weaker winds and lower rainfall are expected to reduce renewable power generation.
Additional cooling demand alone could reach 10 TWh over the one-year period.
CREA estimates that meeting the resulting electricity shortfall through coal-fired generation could add about 17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. In a more severe El Niño scenario, additional coal-based generation could rise to 24 TWh.
The report, however, highlights India’s rapidly expanding solar sector as a key solution to strengthening grid resilience.
