As heatwaves intensify across Asia, soaring air-conditioner use is threatening power grids and warming urban nights
4-MIN READ4-MIN ListenEmma WhitePublished: 12:00pm, 20 Sep 2026As heatwaves become more frequent and intense across Asia, the region faces a dangerous power paradox. Soaring demand for air conditioning threatens to push electricity grids closer to failure just as extreme heat puts the infrastructure under greater strain, raising the risk of cooling disappearing when people need it most.
That risk has been visible across the region this summer.
