(a) whether the Government are aware that the ensuing summer is going to be
very difficult for people due to shortage of power;
(b) if so, the estimated peak load status for the summer and the estimated
supply; and
(c) the efforts being made by the Union Government to bridge the gap?
THE MINISTER OF POWER ( SHRI ANANT GANGARAM GEETE )
(a) to (c) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF
STARRED QUESTION NO. 494 TO BE ANSWERED IN THE LOK
SABHA ON 24.03.2003 REGARDING POWER SUPPLY POSITION IN
SUMMER.
(a) : There is an overall shortage of power availability in the country except
some States. The gap between demand and supply varies from State to State and region
to region.
(b) : The All India energy shortage during the ensuing summer is anticipated to
vary from 2.9% to 8.8%, compared to 8% to 10.7% during the April – July, 2002. The
All India peaking load shortage is expected to vary from 10.5% to 14.7% during April-
July, 2003 as compared to 14.5% to 16.2% during the corresponding period of 2002.
(c) : Electricity is a concurrent subject. Supply and distribution of electricity in
a State is the responsibility of the State Government/State Power Utility concerned. The
Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments by way of
capacity addition through the Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs). Presently,
about 30% of the total power generated in the country comes from the Central generating
stations.
The following steps are being taken to improve the generation and
availability of power in the country:
(i) A capacity addition of 41,110 MW has been targeted for 10th Five Year Plan.
(ii) Early stabilization of newly commissioned units and overall increase in PLF of
thermal units.
(iii) Strengthening/Augmentation of sub-transmission and distribution systems. Funds
are being provided for undertaking schemes for transmission and distribution
systems to States under the accelerated power development & Reforms
Programme (APDRP).
(iv) Demand side management and Promoting energy efficiency and energy
conservation measures.
(v) Disbursement of loans with interest subsidy by the Power Finance Corporation for
renovation and modernization of old and inefficient generating units.
(vi) Enhancement of inter-state and inter-regional power transfer by strengthening of
inter-regional transmission links and finally formation of National Grid.
(vii) Exploitation of hydro potential at a faster pace.
(viii) A major cause for power projects not materializing has been the poor paying
capacity of the State Utilities which are the ultimate purchasers of power from the
private sector projects and CPSUs. A number of steps have been initiated to
reform and restructure the State Power Utilities. 27 States have already signed
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for undertaking reforms and restructuring
in a time bound manner. Further, to bring about reforms in distribution, Ministry
of Power has launched the Accelerated Power Development and Reforms
Programme as a major step towards reduction of aggregate transmission and
commercial losses and attaining commercial viability of the power sector. 27
State Electricity Boards/Utilities have signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA)
with Ministry of Power which is a pre-requisite for release of APDRP funds. The
commitments of the State Government in these MoUs/MoAs include setting up of
the State Electricity Regulatory Commission, 100% metering of 11 KV feeders,
effective energy audit, identification and elimination of power theft and thereby
attainment of commercial viability in distribution.