With 15,000 Mw added, India's FY18 peak power surplus pegged at 6.8%: CEA

Gross energy generation in India has been assessed as 1,229.4 billion units from power plants

The country would have a peak power surplus of 6.8 per cent and 8.8 per cent energy surplus in 2017-18, says a report by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

The assessment of the anticipated power supply position in the country during the year 2017-18 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.
 

According to CEA’s Load Generation Balance Report (LGBR), the current financial year will see a capacity addition of 13,405 Mw-11,366 Mw of thermal, 1,539 Mw of hydro and 500 Mw of nuclear power.

The gross energy generation in the country has been assessed as 1,229.4 billion units from the conventional power plants in operation and those expected to be commissioned during the year in consultation with generating companies/SEBs (State Electricity Boards) and taking into consideration the proposed maintenance schedule of the units during the year.
 

Surplus energy is anticipated of the order of 7.4 per cent, 13 per cent, 9.8 per cent and three per cent in the Southern, Western, Northern and North-Eastern regions respectively. Eastern region is likely to face minor energy shortage of 0.2 per cent which can be met from surplus power in other regions. The peaking surplus is likely to prevail in all the regions; Northern, Western, Southern, Eastern and North
 

Eastern regions to the tune of 6.7 per cent, 17.2 per cent, one per cent, 10 per cent and 2.7 per cent respectively. The report states during 2016-17, the total energy availability increased by 4.1 per cent over the previous year and the peak met increased by 5.7 per cent.

The energy requirement registered a growth of 2.6 per cent during the year against the projected growth of nine per cent and peak demand registered a growth of four per cent against the projected growth of 7.8 per cent.
 

Overall, the country in 2016-17, recorded the lowest ever demand-supply gap both in terms of energy and peaking as given below. Even this demand-supply gap was due to factors other than non-availability of power in the country it was due to transmission and distribution constraints. The country’s western, southern and eastern regions met the demand almost in full with insignificant demand-supply gap both in terms of energy and peaking.

However, there were short-term surpluses in most of the states at some point of time or the other depending on the season or time of the day. The surplus power was sold to deficit states or consumers either through bilateral contracts, power exchanges or traders.