 "Bihar's power struggle")
- With 104 million people, Bihar, the country's third-most populous state, reported a peak power demand of 3,500 mega watt (Mw) in 2014-15, about the same as Mumbai (which has a fifth of Bihar's population)
- The per capita power consumption in Bihar is 144 kilo watt hour (kwh), 85% lower than the all-India average of 927-kwh. Only 26% of rural households are electrified, the worst of any state
- It is clear Bihar cannot meet the rising electricity demands of its people
- The peak demand was more than 1,800 Mw in 2007-08, which increased to 3,500 Mw in 2014-15. Peak power availability was 1,243 Mw in 2007-08, which increased to 2,831 Mw in 2014-15
- Bihar faces a power deficit (difference between peak demand and electricity supplied) of 19%, according to the Economic Survey 2014-15
- Bihar's power generation is primarily dependent on thermal energy (91%), hydro and renewables account for only 5% and 4%, respectively
- Bihar is also challenged by high transmission and distribution (T&D) losses, reported to be 42% in 2013-14 against the Indian average of 27%
- Financial losses, measured in terms of cost coverage, woe as high as 52% for the north Bihar distribution network and 50% for the south Bihar network in 2013-14
Data source analysis: Indiaspend
