Peak power deficit widens in Apr-Aug

Less-than-targeted addition to power generation capacity, sweltering heat and rising agricultural demand widened the peak power deficit during the April-August period to 13.4 per cent, compared to 12.8 per cent in the same period last year.

According to the latest power supply report card of the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), against the total peak demand of 1,02,428 Mw, only about 88,743 Mw was available during the period, resulting in a deficit of 13,685 Mw.

However, senior power planning officials say that the slippages in performance seen in the first few months of the financial year do not set a benchmark for the rest of the year, which will certainly be better. Only a third of the 5,550 Mw of targeted capacity addition was commissioned in the first four months of the year (April-July).

"The situation will surely improve by next year, because 13,000 Mw of capacity will be added by March 31, 2008. There is no doubt about the capacity addition," said a senior official in the power ministry.

Interestingly, even 13,000 Mw is only about 75 per cent of the targeted addition of 17,000 Mw for the year. For the Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007-12), the targeted addition is over 78,000 Mw and most experts say the actual addition could be anywhere between 50,000 Mw to 60,000 Mw.

The western region has fared worst during the period, with a peak deficit of 27 per cent, while the eastern region has reported a deficit of 4 per cent.

Maharashtra has been severely hit with 26 per cent of peak deficit "" supply of power was limited to 11,500 Mw against a demand of 15,600 Mw. Bihar is also showing a peak demand deficit of 21 per cent, which according to a Delhi-based power expert, is due to power theft, leakages and transmission and commercial losses.

Meanwhile, the average power deficit position has shown improvement for the period April-August "" at 7.3 per cent this year against 8.3 per cent last year.

On a monthly basis as well, there has been an improvement in the peak demand deficit, which has reduced from almost 14 per cent in April to 10.5 per cent in August.

The slow development of capacity addition is due to shortage of equipment, civil contractors and skilled manpower to meet the sudden spurt in demand, according to the official.