Karnataka’s Daily Power Use Hits Record Amid Pumpset Surge and Heat

Karnataka’s average daily electricity consumption jumped to between 349 and 362 million units in the first half of October, breaking the previous record of 340 MU set in September. The surge came as farmers ran 39 lakh agricultural pumpsets for long periods after a monsoon failure from June to September, pushing irrigation‑pump electricity use up by 25‑50% compared with the same period last year. Higher temperatures also drove households to run fans and air conditioners longer, lifting domestic, commercial and industrial loads by about 18%. In September 2026, overall power demand was almost one‑third higher than in September 2025. Wind generation fell sharply from an average of 2,500‑3,000 MW during the monsoon to just 400‑600 MW, contributing to a few power cuts across the state. Recent rains after October 11 eased the pressure: farmers reduced pumpset operation and cooling‑device use fell, while the Dasara holidays shut many factories and offices. State Load Dispatch Centre data show the average demand slipped to 277.92 MU on October 20 and 284.98 MU on October 21. ## Context Karnataka relies heavily on monsoon rains for irrigation; when rains fail, farmers turn to electricity‑driven pumpsets, which can quickly raise grid load. Wind power, a key monsoon‑season source, drops sharply in dry periods, leaving the grid more vulnerable to spikes from heat‑driven consumption.