Power sector performance declines,nuclear dips to minus 5.7 per cent

New Delhi, Feb 28 (UNI) The performance of the power sector was dismal in 2007-08 with the sharpest decline of minus 5.7 per cent seen in nuclear power generation in 2007 compared to 2006.

The Economic Survey 2007-08 tabled in the Lok Sabha has said the electricity generation by power utilities during 2007-08 was targeted to go up by 7.2 per cent to 710 billion KWH. However the growth of power generation in April-December 2007 was lower than the targeted grawth rate.''The growth in all three segments--thermal, hydro and nuclear generation slowed down with nuclear power generation in particular.'' In 2007, the total power generation from all the segments went down at 6.6 per cent from 7.5 per cent in 2006 with hydro going down to 9.8 per cent from 13.8 per cent, thermal to 5.7 per cent from 6.1 per cent and nuclear at a lowly minus 5.7 per cent from three per cent in 2006.

The deficit in power supply in terms of peak availability and of total energy availability during the current year was 14.8 per cent and 8.4 per cent respectively.

Shortages are most acute in the north east and western region, the Survey pointed out.

Pointing out other lacunae in the sector, the Survey said out of total installed generating capacity in the country, about 10.5 per cent as 14,691.7 MW is based on gas or liquid fuel (excluding diesel).

The supply of gas to power stations that use gas as primary fuel remains inadequate. Commitments of gas allocations made to power stations in the past are not being fulfilled thereby leading to loss in generation.

Far Ultra-Mega Power Projects (UMPPs), which would help lower the cost of power to consumers and reduce emissions, nine sites were identified by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in nine states for the projects each having a capacity of 4,000 MWs.

With an estimated hydro power potential of more than 1,50,000 MW, pre-feasability reports of 162 schemes with aggregate installed capacity of 49,930 MW has been completed by the CEA.

On the proposed 1700 MW National Grid that connects connects the northern, Western, Eastern and North-eastern regions in synchronous mode, th survey said it is expected that the inter-regional capacity of more than 37,700 MW would be achieved by the end of the eleventh five year plan.

''Proposals are under way to have synchronous integration of southern region with the rest of the regions forming an all-India synchronous grid,'' the Survey said.

UNI RT MP RP DS1336