MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING, SCIENCE &
TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. ASHWANI KUMAR)
(a): Yes Sir, power deficit is one of the obstacle in the process of economic development of
the country. It limits the ability of the economy to grow. The electricity requirement in the
country during 2011-12 was 936,568 million units (MU) against which the availability was
857,239 MU resulting in deficit of 79,329 MU which was 8.5%. Further, the peak demand in
the country in the same period was 130,250 mega watt (MW) against which peak met was
115,847 MW resulting in peak deficit of 14,403 MW which was 11.1%.
(b): Yes Sir, the country is facing fuel supply shortage of both coal and gas, due to domestic
supply constraints.
(c): The coal demand in the country during the year 2011-12 was 640 million tonnes against
which the domestic coal production was 540 million tonnes and import was 90 million
tonnes. Whereas, the gas demand in the country during the year 2011-12 was 194 million
metric standard cubic meters per day (MMSCMD) against which the domestic gas production
was 130.26 MMSCMD and import was 36.5 MMSCMD (LNG). This is one of the reasons
that have affected the electricity generation of thermal power plants.
(d): The Government of Indonesia has made certain changes in basic pricing policies for the
export of coal to other countries including India. The changes in policy have affected some
power projects in India. With the increase in coal prices, developers have indicated
difficulties in supplying electricity at the competitive bid tariff.
(e):Yes, the Government plans to tap additional renewable energy sources to meet power
deficit for maintaining the growth rate of the economy.
(f): During 12th Plan a capacity addition of 30,000 MW of Grid connected renewable power
is proposed of which 15,000 MW is envisaged to come from Wind Power, 10,000 MW from
Solar capacity and 5,000 MW from other type of renewable sources.
