Asia’s blistering heatwave has caused hours-long daily blackouts, putting more than 1 billion people at risk.

Asia’s blistering heatwave has caused hours-long daily blackouts, putting more than 1 billion people at risk.

 Photographer: Aamir Qureshi/AFP/Getty Images

The Big Take

A Hot, Deadly Summer Is Coming With Frequent Blackouts

There won’t be enough energy supplies to go around as sweltering heat boosts power demand in the months ahead, putting lives at risk. 

Global power grids are about to face their biggest test in decades with electricity generation strangled in the world’s largest economies.

War. Drought. Production shortages. Historically low inventories. And pandemic backlash. Energy markets across the planet have been put through the wringer over the past year, and consumers have suffered the consequences of soaring prices. But, somehow, things are on track to get even worse.