<p>The average power purchase price on the Indian Energy Exchange Ltd (IEX) surged in March to the highest level since April 2009, data on the company's website showed, reflecting a steep rise in electricity demand.</p>.<p>Power demand during March rose at the fastest pace in three months, with electricity shortages the worst since October due to soaring temperatures and a sharp uptick in economic activity.</p>.<p>The number of buy bids, reflecting demand on the day-ahead market, exceeded sell bids, indicative of supply by 35%, data showed, pushing the average purchase price to Rs 8.23 ($0.1087) per kilowatt hour (kWh), over double the average price in March 2021.</p>.<p>India's power regulator capped prices at Rs 12 ($0.1580) per kWh, saying in an order dated April 1 that "abnormally high prices" at power exchanges hurt consumers' interests and eroded buyers' confidence in the market.</p>.<p>India's power demand is expected to surge further heading into summer, after weather officials forecast maximum temperatures above normal in April in most parts of the northwest, northeast and central regions.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>
<p>The average power purchase price on the Indian Energy Exchange Ltd (IEX) surged in March to the highest level since April 2009, data on the company's website showed, reflecting a steep rise in electricity demand.</p>.<p>Power demand during March rose at the fastest pace in three months, with electricity shortages the worst since October due to soaring temperatures and a sharp uptick in economic activity.</p>.<p>The number of buy bids, reflecting demand on the day-ahead market, exceeded sell bids, indicative of supply by 35%, data showed, pushing the average purchase price to Rs 8.23 ($0.1087) per kilowatt hour (kWh), over double the average price in March 2021.</p>.<p>India's power regulator capped prices at Rs 12 ($0.1580) per kWh, saying in an order dated April 1 that "abnormally high prices" at power exchanges hurt consumers' interests and eroded buyers' confidence in the market.</p>.<p>India's power demand is expected to surge further heading into summer, after weather officials forecast maximum temperatures above normal in April in most parts of the northwest, northeast and central regions.</p>.<p><strong>Watch latest videos by DH here:</strong></p>