Coal news and updates

India’s 2015-16 power generation target at 1,136 BU

April 17: India’s power generation target for the year 2015-16 has been set at 1,136 billion units (BU) or 1.14 trillion units (TU) by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

India’s power generation in 2014-15 had crossed 1,048.403 BU, up 8.4% over the previous year which was the highest growth rate in the last two decades.

Of the total in 2015-16, the generation targets for thermal, hydro and nuclear power are 965.20 BU, 128 BU and 38 BU respectively while the target for imports from Bhutan are at 4.8 BU.

Out of the thermal power generation target of 965.2 BU, coal’s portion is 887.225 BU, ie, 91.92% of the total thermal power generation and 78% of the total power generation target.

Since 1991-92, the compounded annual growth rate of electricity generation has been around 5-6.6%. The biggest contributor was generation from the coal-based power stations which recorded an annual growth rate of 12.1%.

Moreover, the generation capacity addition during 2014-15 was 22,566 MW, which was the highest ever achievement in a single year.