Powering a shortfall

Old fault lines need to be addressed

Surging demand for power owing to an extended and unusually hot summer and rising economic activities has raised the spectre of prolonged power cuts again. Key northern states, some of them critical manufacturing bases, have been facing widening gaps between demand and supply. States such as Haryana and Rajasthan have seen their energy deficits rise to roughly 13 million units (MUs) till September 2 from 4.32 MUs and 5.34 MUs, respectively, in 2022. More striking are Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, where the energy deficits have surged 15.94 MUs and 16.6 MUs, respectively, from zero last year. Overall, India’s peak power