1. THE POWER SCENARIO IN INDIA
To sustain the projected growth of the Indian economy, the country needs to meet its rising power demands within the shortest timeframe. Since India’s independence in 1947, generation, transmission and distribution of power were almost wholly the preserve of the Central and State governments. In 1991, the Government decided to allow private sector participation in the sector, both Indian and foreign, creating tremendous investment opportunities.
a) Supply Projection:
The total installed capacity under utilities in India increased to 1,01,630 MW in 2000-01 from 97,845 MW in 1999-00 (72,359 MW thermal, 25,142 MW hydel, 2,860 MW nuclear and 1,269 MW wind power). There was a corresponding increase in electricity generation to 4,99,450 million units (MU) from 4,80,000 MU recorded in 1999-00 (4,08,208 MU thermal, 74,346 MU hydel, and 16,896 nuclear energy). The overall annual plant load factor (PLF) of thermal stations was 69 per cent as compared to 67.3 per cent in 1999- 00. The per capita consumption for 2000-01 was estimated to be 374 kWh. As on 2000-01, over 5,08,077 villages had been electrified out of 5,87,258 villages.
b) Demand Projection:
The peak demand met was 67,880 MW and the energy availability was 4,67,000 MU against the requirement of 78,037 MW and 5,07,000 MU, respectively. Thus, there was a shortage of 13 per cent in meeting the peak demand and 7.8 per cent in energy for 2000-01. A realistic assessment of energy and peak power requirements is vital for planning and operation of the electricity system in India. According to the 16th Electric Power Survey (EPS), the all-India peak demand would be about 85,132, 1,15,705, 1,57,107, and 2,12,725 MW by the end of the Ninth (20001-02), Tenth
(2006-07), E ...