India has extended the mandate for imported coal-fired power plants to operate at full capacity until April-end, revising the previous deadline of February-end, according to a government order seen by Reuters.

The extension comes in response to rising electricity demand, with the power ministry forecasting peak demand to reach 270 gigawatts (GW) this summer, up from 250 GW last year. The summer season in India is typically marked by extreme heat and frequent heatwaves, further straining power supply.

India’s national weather office has also predicted above-average temperatures in March, following an unusually warm February.

The country has approximately 17 GW of imported coal-based power capacity, operated by companies such as Adani Power, Mundra Power, and Essar Power