Peak power deficit drops to 4.5% in July helped by monsoon

Good monsoon has brought some respite to the power sector as the peak power deficit for the month of July dropped to 4.5% from 5.8% in June.

As per the latest data by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the peak power deficit -- the shortage in electricity supply -- in the month of July when the demand was at its peak, stood at 4.5%.

There was shortage to the tune of 5,745 MW in July. The total demand during the month was 1,28,461 MW and of which 1,22,716 MW was met, the CEA data showed.
 

The power situation in the North-East improved drastically as the region comprising states of Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram recorded a deficit of a meagre 0.6% as compared to 9.6% in June.

The total power demand of the region during July was 1,984 MW, of which 1,973 MW was met, the data showed.

According to a CEA official, monsoon is the primary reason for decline in peak power deficit in most states across the country.

The total electricity demand in southern states, in July, including Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka was 33,474 MW, of which 30,885 MW was met leaving a deficit of 2,589 MW or 7.7%. The region reported a deficit of 3,372 MW in June.

In July, the northern region including the national capital recorded a deficit of 5.8% or 2,553 MW. The total demand of the region was 44,219 MW of which 41,666 MW was the supply. The peak power deficit of the region in July stood at 2,844 MW or 6.4%.

The situation in the Western region comprising Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh improved from 2.5% peak power deficit in June to 0.7% in July.

The power demand and supply situation in the Eastern part of India (West Bengal, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand) remained the same as earlier with 2.3% deficit.