Peak power deficit drops to 5.4% in April: CEA

Peak power deficit in the country fell to 5.4% at 7,556 MW in April, from 7.4 per cent a year ago due to increased capacity and lower electricity consumption by states.

The decline in consumption in certain north Indian states was due to weak intra-state network for dissemination of electricity.

As per the latest data by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the total requirement in the country last month was 1,40,998 MW, as against the supply of 1,33,442 MW -- a peak power deficit of 5.4%.

The peak power deficit -- shortfall in supply of power when the demand is maximum -- was 7.4% or 9,720 MW in April 2013.

The electricity shortage last month in the northern region comprising UP, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir was 7.4%. The demand was 41,222 MW, of which 38,163 MW was met.

"The sub-transmission and distribution network within Haryana and Uttar Pradesh is not adequate due to which they cannot absorb more power, thereby leading to load shedding in most parts of the state," a CEA official said.

"Another reason for lesser absorption of power in UP is non-realisation of money from the end consumer, which has also impacted the state discoms financial health," he added.

The deficit in the northern region was 5.1% in April last year.

Western region states including Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra reported a power deficit of 2.1% or 853 MW in April 2014, as against 1.4% or 531 MW in April 2013.

However, the remaining states of the country reported substantial decrease in peak electricity shortage.

Southern region states -- Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Lakshadweep -- reported drop in April's peak power deficit at 8.2% or 3,252 MW from 16.7% or 6,508 MW a year ago.

The electricity requirement in eastern states including West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand in April this year was 16,327 MW as against a supply of 16,087 MW, leaving a shortfall of 1.5%. It was 3.8% in April 2013.

There was an improvement in the peak power shortage in the seven sister states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Tripura and Mizoram in the north eastern region from 9.5% in April last year, to 6.9% this time.

Electricity demand in the region last month was 2,197 MW and supply was 2,045 MW.

CEA is a government body tasked with facilitating overall development of the sector.