India Faces Night-Time Power Shortages Amid Weak Hydropower Output
India Faces Night-Time Power Shortages Amid Weak Hydropower Output
IN · Published Oct 6, 2026
• Several Indian states, including Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Delhi, are requesting additional power allocations from the central government to address night-time electricity shortages.
• The shortfall is attributed to weaker hydropower generation caused by reduced rainfall linked to El Niño conditions, as well as maintenance at coal plants.

Impact & Risks

The power shortages are affecting both residential and industrial consumers, particularly in states with high energy demands. Punjab experienced outages of up to 14 hours per day in September 2026. The situation highlights India's challenges in meeting electricity demand after sunset, as renewable energy sources like solar lack sufficient battery storage for night-time use. Additionally, nearly 41 GW of power plants are offline, and 47% of coal plants are operating with critically low fuel levels, further exacerbating the issue.

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