Peak deficit rose 13.9% last month

Electricity peaking shortages in the country has increased to 13.9 per cent in December against 11.6 per cent in November.

For April-December, it was 10.6 per cent, according to the Central Electricity Authority.

CEA said in its report the deficit in the western region, comprising Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli was up marginally at 17.8 per cent in December compared with 17 per cent in November. In northern region — Delhi, Punjab, Harayana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir — the shortfall increased to 13.3 per cent against 8.5 per cent.

Industry sources attributed the rise in deficit to increase in demand despite winter to the rabi season and to the elections.

Power demand has grown by 8.9 per cent YoY. Growth in power demand in December 11 is led by western and southern regions where it grew by 21 per cent and 22 per cent, respectively.

Motilal Oswal’s report said demand grew by 14 per cent year-on-year to 81 billion units and the month-on-month number was up five per cent.

In another report, CEA said electricity generation in the country during December has been 72,718 MU with a growth rate of 8.02 per cent against generation of 67,322 MU during the same month last year. The growth rate during December 2010 was 5.03 per cent. The cumulative electricity generation during April-December 2011 was 653,446 MU with a growth rate of 9.23 per cent over same period last year. During April-December 2010, the corresponding growth rate was 4.67 per cent.

Thermal generation during the month has exceeded the generation programme by 1,199 MU (1.95 per cent). It has achieved a growth rate of 8.59 per cent in comparison with the corresponding month last year.

Generation of coal-based plants improved on account of improved supply of coal. Thermal power stations received about 34.9 million tonnes (MT) of coal against the requirement of 37.9 MT during December 2011. It was about 92 per cent of the requirement of coal during the month as compared to receipt of about 87 per cent of the requirement during November last year.

Electricity generation of nuclear plants during the month was 124.1 per cent of the programme — growing 7.88 per cent against the corresponding month last year. The cumulative electricity generation during April-December from nuclear plants was 125.53 per cent of the programme.

The growth rate of nuclear generation was 33.24 per cent with the corresponding month last year.