Question : Shortage of Power

(a) whether the shortage of electricity is affecting agricultural and industrial production in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the corrective steps proposed or taken by the Union Government in this regard?

Answer given by the minister

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER,
COAL, NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES

( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a) & (b): Electricity is a concurrent subject. The supply and distribution of electricity to various consumers including agricultural and industrial consumers in a State / UT is within the purview of the respective State Government / State Power Utility. The Central Government supplements the efforts of the State Governments by establishing power plants in the Central Sector only through Central Power Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) for the purpose of power generation and allocating power there from to them. At present, the installed power generation capacity in the country is 3,07,278 MW which is sufficient to meet the demand of electricity.

As reported by the States to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA), the Energy shortage at all India level has reduced to 2.1% during the year 2015-16 from 4.2% during 2013-14 which was the lowest in the last two decades. During the current year 2016-17 (Upto October, 2016), Energy shortage has further reduced to 0.7%.

(c) : The following steps have been taken to bridge the gap between the demand and supply of electricity in the country:

(i) During the 12th Plan period (2012-17), a capacity addition of about 88928.2 MW as against the target of 88537 MW from conventional sources have been achieved till 31st October, 2016 and about 21,128 MW as against the target of 30000 MW from renewable sources have been achieved till 30th September, 2016.

(ii) Adequate supply of the domestic coal to power plants has been ensured. The growth of domestic coal supply to power plants has been around 6.2% during 2015-16.

(iii) During the 12th Plan period (2012-17), 1,00,468 ckm as against the target of 1,07,440 ckm of transmission lines and 2,88,458 MVA as against the target of 2,82,750 MVA of transformation capacity have been completed till 31st October, 2016.

(iv) The Government of India has taken an initiative to prepare State specific Action Plans for providing 24X7 Power For All (PFA) in partnership with the States.

(v) Two new schemes have been launched by the Government of India, namely, Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) for strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks and for segregation of agricultural feeders to give adequate and reliable supply and reduce line losses.

(vi) The Government of India has taken several steps to promote energy conservation, energy efficiency and other demand side management measures.

(vii) The Central Government has notified Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY) scheme, on 20.11.2015, for Operational & Financial Turnaround of DISCOMs.

(viii) The Government of India has taken steps for expeditious resolution of issues relating to Environmental and forest clearances for facilitating early completion of generation and transmission projects.

(ix) The Government of India has launched a scheme by providing support from Power System Development Fund (PSDF) for operationalisation of stranded gas based generation.

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