Eastern region to face 10% power deficit: CEA

Nationwide power requirement pegged at 12,14,642 mn units in FY17 against 12,27,895 available mn units

The country's eastern region is projected to face average power shortfall of 10.1% in the current fiscal but would have a peak surplus of 4.9%. The country as a whole, will have surplus power of 1.1%.

Nationwide power requirement is pegged at 12,14,642 million units (MU) in FY17 against which the availability is 12,27,895 MU, says the Load Generation Balance Report (LGBR) for 2016-17 by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

The northern region is tipped to face average power deficit of 1.8% and peak power shortfall of 1.6% in this fiscal. For the north-eastern region,the deficit is pegged at 8.3% and 3.8% respectively. On the contrary,western and southern regions would be in a position of surplus power both during peak and non-peak hours.

"The assessment of the anticipated power supply position in the country during the year 2016-17 has been made taking into consideration the power availability from various stations in operation, including non-conventional energy sources, fuel availability, and anticipated water availability at hydro electric stations.

A capacity addition of 16,654.5 Mw during the year 2016-17 comprising 13,440.5 Mw of thermal, 1,714 Mw of hydro and 1,500 Mw of nuclear power stations has been considered. The gross energy generation in the country has been assessed as 1,178 BU from the conventional power plants in operation and those expected to be commissioned during the year", said the CEA report.

During 2015-16, all regions of the country continued to experience energy as well as peak power shortage of varying magnitude on an overall basis, although there were short-term surpluses depending on the season or time of day. The surplus power was sold to deficit states or consumers either through bilateral contracts, power exchanges or traders. The energy shortage varied from 0.2% in the western region to 5.2% in the north-eastern region.