Steps to Overcome the Shortcomings in Supply of Power

The Central Government is taking the following steps to overcome the shortcomings in supply of power. (i) Generation capacity addition of 88,537 MW is targeted for the 12th Plan from conventional sources. As against this, 48,026 MW has already been achieved. (ii) Transmission lines of 1,07,440 ckm and 2,82,740 MVA transformation capacity have been targeted for the 12th Plan. As against this, 45,570 ckm of transmission lines and 1,56,354 MVA of transformation capacity has been achieved. (iii) Two new schemes have been approved by the Government, namely Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna and Integrated Power Development Scheme for strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks and for segregation of agricultural feeders. (iv) Government of India has taken initiative to prepare Action Plans for providing 24x7 Power For All (PFA) in partnership with the States. (v) Renovation & Modernization (R&M) of old power plants is planned by the concerned State and Central Power Utilities for improving the Plant Load Factor of power stations. (vi) The gap in coal availability is planned to be met through enhanced coal production and coal imports for increased generation by thermal plants. (vii) Promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency and demand side management measures. (viii) In order to support financial viability of State Distribution Utilities (Discoms), the Central Government had notified a Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP). (ix) Expeditious resolution of issues relating to environmental and forest clearances. The availability of power both in terms of energy and peak in the country during the current year 2014-15 (up to October, 2014) is 617.7 BU and 1,41,160 MW respectively. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of state for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. The Minister further stated that the assessment of anticipated shortage of power in the current year 2014-15 has been done and as per the assessment, the anticipated shortage of power in terms of energy and peak during the year would be 5.1% and 2.0% respectively.  Round the Clock Supply of Power Government of India has taken a joint initiative with respective State Governments to provide 24 x 7 power to the non-agricultural consumers while ensuring sufficient supply to agricultural consumers. This initiative aims at ensuring uninterrupted power supply to the existing consumers and providing access to electricity to all un-connected consumers in the next five years. To begin with, state specific documents for Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan have been prepared in consultation with respective State Governments. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of state for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. The Minister further stated that the following steps have been taken by the Union Government to increase the power generation capacity and to ensure round the clock power supply in the whole country: (i) Government of India has now launched two new schemes viz. Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) & Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS). The first, aims to provide reliable and adequate power supply to farmers by separation of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders and strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure in rural areas, among others. Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana for rural electrification will get subsumed in DDUGJY. The second scheme, Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), aims to reduce AT &C losses and also to provide quality power by strengthening sub-transmission and distribution network in urban areas. RAPDRP will get subsumed in IPDS. (ii) A capacity addition target of 88,537 MW has been fixed for the 12th Plan period, comprising 72,340 MW from Thermal, 10,897 MW from Hydro and 5,300 MW for Nuclear. The achievement against this target, as on 31.10.2014, is 48,026.3 MW, comprising 46199.9 MW from thermal and 1,826.4 MW from Hydro. (iii) Central Electricity Authority (CEA) is monitoring the progress of construction of power projects through frequent site visits and interaction with the developers and equipment suppliers. In addition, CEA holds review meetings periodically with the developers and other stakeholders to identify issues critical to commissioning of projects and helps in resolving them. (iv) A Power Project Monitoring Panel (PPMP) has been set up by the Ministry of Power for independent monitoring of Thermal and Hydro Generation projects targeted for commissioning during the 12th Plan and beyond along with the associated transmission systems.