Only reforms can fill demand-supply gap in power sector: Industry

Attributing today's power breakdown to increasing demand-supply gap, the industry has pitched for early reforms in the energy sector.

"Emerging demand-supply gap is the main reason behind this major breakdown today. There is a need for comprehensive review of the power sector ... Further reforms in the sector are needed," Ficci Secretary General Rajiv Kumar said.

Power supply to Northern states was severely affected today with the failure of Northern Grid at about 2:30 am. The states affected are Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal and Rajasthan.

Kumar said the demand-supply would not be bridged until the government encourages investments in power generation and transmission.

"The condition of state electricity boards is also bad, They are in huge debt and are not able to buy power from private sector," Kumar added.

Echoing views, CII Director General Chandrajeet Banerjee said that continuous power problem is affecting all the industries in the country.

"We need to focus urgently on reforming power sector. There is a tremendous demand supply gap in the country. It has stretched a lot that is why such incidents are happening," he said.

Assocham in a statement said, "India suffers peak power deficit of about 12%.The situation is getting worse with the weakening monsoon and less availability of fuel primarily coal."

While every attempt should be made in ensuring coal supply to power plants, it is imperative that states should follow the grid discipline, it added.