India to suffer over 10 per cent peak power shortage this fiscal: CEA report

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 per cent, says a CEA report.

Peak power shortage, defined as shortfall in generation capacity during the time when the electricity consumption at the maximum, 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 per cent in the Western region and 26.3 per cent 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," it added.

India's gross energy generation has been assessed as 9,30,000 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.

Megawatt (MW) is used to refer to generation capacity, while Million Unit (MU) indicates the amount of power or energy produced. For instance, a 500 MW capacity plant running for 24 hours can produce 12 MUs of energy.

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 data, there was a peak power deficit of 9 per cent or 12,159 MW in the first six months (April-September) of the current financial year (2012-13).

This was mainly due to scare fuel supply. Peak power deficit in the month of September alone stood at 10 per cent or 13,291 MW.

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