Home Environment

Delhi Summers: Meeting Energy Needs Amid Intense Heat

Delhi summers highlight the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions as temperatures soar to record levels. Addressing Delhi's energy demands and climate challenges with renewable solutions.

New Update
Delhi Summers
Listen to this article
0.75x 1x 1.5x
00:00 / 00:00

Delhi Summers: The Story of Urban Heat is a Story of Pleasure and Pain

Entering the cool confines of an air-conditioned room from the blazing Delhi summers is the definition of pleasure. But this masks a story of pain, of human-induced climate change coupled with unbridled growth and energy consumption.

This energy consumption, ironically, contributes to the climate change which ensures India's heatwaves intensify. 

New Delhi's temperatures in the last week of May reported a maximum of 52.3 degrees, the highest recorded in India, beating India's all-time record of 51.

Securing cities from future heat effects requires a fictional reality which can become a future truth.

Cities like Delhi, which are more prone to heatwaves, have to be prepared for a daily peak electricity load demand of around 8 gigawatts (GW) in the summer of 2024.

The perpetual need to sustain urban civilisational behaviour of energy consumption through energy-efficient (or inefficient) air conditioners in urban heat islands accelerates this continuum of pain and pleasure.

Given India's net zero emissions commitment by 2070, Delhi, which is both victim and creator of urban heat islands and heat effects from human-induced climate change, is forced to think of procuring power from renewable energy sources to address this peak 8GW demand. 

This marks the paradox of unrestrained energy consumption to meet the needs of a sweltering, heatwave-laden Delhi summers.

login-icon

The Probe: Investigative Journalism & In-Depth News Analysis

Dive into the world of The Probe, where investigative journalism meets in-depth news analysis. Explore exclusive stories, uncover hidden truths, and gain unparalleled insights into issues of public interest.