New Delhi: Demand for electricity could surge in the country this year as the weather bureau predicts a below-par monsoon and extended summer.
The Central Electricity Authority has set a target of generating 1,023 billion units for 2014-15 against last year’s output of 967 billion units.
Power ministry officials, however, fear that demand could be high this year, especially from the irrigation sector, as monsoon is expected to be erratic due to the El Nino effect. Uneven rains could also reduce water levels at reservoirs and hurt hydro power stations, officials feared.
Though demand for power in April is normal due to rains in many parts of the country, it is likely to extend until September this year, an official told Deccan Herald, adding that demand would exist only till July in a normal year.
India last felt the damaging impact of El Nino in 2009, when the country recorded its worst drought in four decades. El Nino impacts atmosphere and increases temperature that could affect the rainfall.
CEA proposes to generate over 393 billion units from central utilities, 368 billion units from state utilities, import 5 billion units from neighbouring Bhutan and the rest from private firms to meet its target of 1,023 billion units for this fiscal.
Generation in the private sector could fall this year for various reasons including clearance delays and shortage in coal and gas, despite CEA saying that the central generation companies could produce more power as a result of expanding their projects, the official said.
507 million tonnes
Despite the country witnessing normal monsoon last year, the official admits power production fell below the target of 975 billion units. Shortage of coal, among other things, has given little cause for optimism in terms of achieving this year’s target. To ensure adequate coal supply, coal ministry had asked Coal India Ltd to produce 507 million tonnes for current fiscal as against last year’s target of 462 million tonnes.
But power generators are sceptical that the target could be met as progress in expansion of production is not quicker. Besides, CIL has to deal with delays in environmental clearances and lack of rail infrastructure to transport the dry-fuel.
