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Higher generation and slowdown in demand growth has resulted in better availability of electricity so far in winter 2015.
In November, electricity supply deficit dropped to 1.4 per cent as compared to 3.4 per cent in the same month last year. This is according to data available with the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).
Peak shortage between December 1 and December 28 has averaged at around 3,000 MW as compared to 5,000 MW in the same period last year.
This is according to the National Load Dispatch Centre. Data on the electricity supply deficit for December is not yet available with the CEA.
This trend has been there throughout the year. In the April-November 2015 period, the all-India demand was 2.6 per cent higher at 748,676 million units, while availability grew 4.4 per cent at 731,445 million units.
This resulted in electricity supply deficit coming down to 2.3 per cent as compared to 4 per cent in the same period last year.
While electricity exchanges trade a very small volume, the faster growing generation has put pressure on spot prices.
On December 29, the spot price of electricity on Indian Electricity Exchange was ₹2.38 a unit.
Increasing coal supplies resulting in higher thermal power generation have been a major contributor to the power supply position.
In November, power generation was marginally higher year-on-year at 85,276 million units. Further, between December 1 and December 22, the all-India electricity generation was 2.4 per cent higher at 63,226 million units as compared to 61,714 million units in the same period last year.
Coal India’s rising production has helped in greater coal availability allowing thermal power plants to burn more fuel and generate more electricity. The company has produced 8.8 per cent more coal in April-November 2015 at 321.38 million tonnes.
On December 28, 2015 none of the coal-based power plants had critical levels of stock, or, less than seven days of coal supply.
On the same date last year, 52 out of 100 thermal power plants had critical levels of coal stocks.
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