Key facts
- PJM power prices tripled to over $2,000/MWh.
- A severe heat wave is straining America's largest power grid, PJM.
- Data centers are identified as a significant driver of escalating demand on the PJM grid.
- India's coal-fired electricity generation rose 14% year-on-year in June.
- India generated 120.20 billion kWh of coal-fired electricity in June.
- Hot, dry weather drove increased electricity demand in India.
- India's hydropower generation fell significantly in June.
- India's gas generation fell significantly in June.
America's largest power grid, PJM, is experiencing unprecedented demand due to a severe heat wave, causing electricity prices to triple to over $2,000 per megawatt-hour (MWh) in certain regions. This surge in demand has pushed the grid close to an all-time record. Data centers have been identified as a significant factor contributing to the escalating electricity consumption.
In India, coal-fired electricity generation saw a substantial increase of 14% in June compared to the previous year. This rise brought the total generation to 120.20 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). The increased demand is attributed to hot and dry weather conditions that have affected the country. Concurrently, India experienced significant decreases in both hydropower and gas-fired electricity generation during the same month.