CEA Report Reveals Power Shortage Woes for India

The peak power shortage that India may face this fiscal, as it grapples with acute dearth of coal and gas supplies, is estimated to be 10.6%, says a CEA report.Peak power shortage will be close to 15,000 MW.

“The anticipated peaking shortage in the country would be 10.6 per cent,” a report by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has said.The total electricity demand of the country during the year is 1,40,090 MW, of which 1,25,234 MW is expected to be met, leaving a gap of 14,856 MW, according to CEA data.

The peaking shortage would prevail in all the regions varying from 3.2% in the Western region and 26.3% in the Southern region, the report said.The assessment of the anticipated power supply position in the country during the 2012-13 fiscal has been made taking into account the power availability from various stations in operation, fuel availability and anticipated water availability at hydro-electric stations, it said.

“A capacity addition of 17,956 MW during the year 2012-13 comprising 15,154 MW of thermal, 802 MW of hydro and 2000 MW of nuclear power stations has been considered,” stated the report. India’s gross energy generation has been assessed as 93,0000 million units from the power plants in operation and those expected to be commissioned during the year in consultation with generating companies and State Electricity Boards, the report noted.

The monthly power requirements for all the states and Union Territories in terms of peak demand and energy requirement have been assessed considering the past trend and finalised in consultation with the authorities concerned taking into consideration the specific requirement, if any.

The power supply position of each state has been worked out and the assessment of surplus or shortages has been made. According to another CEA report, there was a peak power deficit of 9% or 12,159 MW in the first six months (April-September) of the current financial year (2012-13).