Power shortage is down to the lowest level ever at 2.4 per cent while peak electricity deficit has narrowed to 3.2 per cent in the current fiscal till October-end, Parliament was informed today.

“The energy shortage has been reduced from 8.5 per cent in 2011-12 to 2.4 per cent in the current year i.e. 2015-16 (up to October 2015), which is the lowest ever,” Power Minister Piyush Goyal said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

The Minister also informed the House that the peak shortage has shrunk to 3.2 per cent in a period up to October 2015, also an all-time low.

The per capita electricity consumption on an all-India basis has risen from 883.6 units in 2011-12 to 1,010 in 2014-15, the highest ever, the House was informed.

Power generation

In a separate reply, the Minister stated that 6,54,639 million units (MUs) of electricity were generated between April to October this year, including 5,38,948 MUs (thermal), 93,739 MUs (hydro) and 21,952 MUs (nuclear).

Giving an update on power plants, the Minister said that as per the Central Electricity Authority, there is no facility that is unable to start production because of non-availability of coal.

The generation capacity of plants currently under various stages of construction is around 1,00,803 MW and the projected dates of commissioning is progressively up to the end of 13th Plan.

During the 12th Plan, a hydro capacity addition of 10,897 MW is planned, of which projects with an aggregate capacity of 3,461 MW have been commissioned up to September 30, 2015.

On the Teesta power project, the Minister said the work has restarted from October 1.

Goyal also told the House that as on November 30, 2015, 29 transmission schemes (projects) have been awarded through tariff-based competitive bidding (TBCB), of which four have been commissioned.

In addition, 10 transmission schemes have been recommended for award through the TBCB route, he added.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW