(a) whether apprehensions have been raised regarding supply of power as per demand during the coming
summer season in various parts of the country including Bihar, Jharkhand and National Capital Territory
of Delhi;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure supply of power as per demand in the country?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL)
(a) to (c): There is an overall shortage of power in the country. The shortage varies from State to State
on month to month and day to day basis depending upon the demand and supply of power. Demand for power
usually goes up in summer season in most of the States, except hilly States, including Bihar, Jharkhand
and NCT of Delhi, resulting in relatively higher energy and peaking shortages. Therefore, apprehensions
regarding supply of power to meet the increased demand during the forth-coming summer season have been
expressed by some States including NCT of Delhi etc. The State-wise details of demand and supply of power,
energy and peaking shortages during the current financial year from April, 2010 to January, 2011 and from
April to June, 2010 is enclosed at Annex-I & II respectively.
Electricity is a concurrent subject. Supply and distribution of electricity in a State / UT is within the
purview of the respective State Government / State Power Utility. The Government of India supplements the
efforts of the State Governments by establishing power plants in Central Sector through CPSUs.
The steps taken/being taken by the Government to improve supply of power in the country include (i) rigorous
monitoring of capacity addition of the on-going generation projects; (ii) advance planning of generation
capacity addition projects for the 12th Five Year Plan; (iii) coordinated operation and maintenance of hydro,
thermal, nuclear and gas based power stations to optimally utilize the existing generation capacity; (iv)
thrust to import of coal to meet the shortfall in coal supplies to thermal power stations from domestic
sources; (v) allocation of gas from KG Basin (D6) for gas based power stations;(vi) development of Ultra
Mega Power Projects of 4000 MW each to reap benefits of economies of scale; (vii) renovation, modernization
and life extension of old and inefficient generation units (viii) strengthening of inter-state and inter
regional transmission capacity for transfer of power from surplus to deficit areas; and (ix) setting up
of power exchanges for sale / purchase of power, etc.