Coal news and updates

Power shortage reduces to lowest at 2.4% in 2015-16

India Coal Market Watch

December 14: Energy availability in India improved as the energy shortage reduced 2.4% in the current year, ie, 2015-16 (up to October, 2015) from 8.5% in 2011-12. This is the lowest shortage ever, according to Piyush Goyal, Minister of State, Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy. The peak shortage also reduced to 3.2% during the current year from 10.6% in 2011-12, which is also the all-time lowest.

According to sources, the reasons can be attributed to lack of demand and adequate supply in the coal market. However, the minister stated that, many steps have been taken to meet the demand supply gap.

According to Goyal, in the 12^th Plan, a capacity addition of 1,18,537 MW (including 88,537 MW conventional and 30,000 MW renewable took place. Construction of 1,07,440 ckm transmission lines and setting up of 2,82,740 MVA transformation capacity have been undertaken.

Two new schemes are being implemented by the Government of India, 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 to give adequate and reliable supply and reduce line losses.  

The power projects under construction which are likely to be ready by the end of 2019 are around 86,363 MW capacity comprising of 72,326 MW from thermal, 9,737 MW from hydro and 4,300 MW from nuclear sources, the minister added.