April nighttime peak demand is expected to hit 217 gigawatts (GW), up 6.4% on the highest nighttime levels recorded in April last year. "Even the smallest interruption in power supply will create havoc," Nair said. As much as 189.2 GW of coal-fired capacity is expected to be available this April, according to Grid-India's February note. The strain comes after sundown, as coal-fired capacity has grown only 9% over the last five years. Hydro and nuclear power capacity additions face tougher obstacles, as they are hobbled by lack of foreign investment and opposition from critics over safety and environmental issues, boding ill for power supply down the track.

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