As 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.
In South Korea, President Lee Jae Myung called a record heatwave a “national disaster” in August after the death toll rose to 19, ordering officials to inspect power systems as air-conditioning demand surged.
In Japan, 39 people died of heatstroke across Tokyo’s 23 central wards in August. Of those deaths, 37 occurred indoors, with 31 involving people who were not using air conditioning.