Date: 11th November 2011
Electricity in India: Developments, Issues, and Remedies
The term ‘Electricity’, right from its inception in the English language in 1600, has gone way ahead to become one of the indispensable needs of humans. There is no need to try for finding out the uses of electricity. On similar grounds, in India its very first public use begun in 1899 and now it has become backbone of the economy. But this emerging basic necessity of man is still scarce in our country.
India, being the world’s fifth largest power generating country, remains below the world average of per capita consumption. It is also facing an acute power shortage and many other adversities. To tackle these odds the government agencies are giving all their efforts. This presentation is based on a brief study of power scenario in India and deals with some of the major Developments, Issues, and Remedies.
The description involves snippets on development of various organizations with specific goals for improving the status of power sector; serious issues to be tackled facing our nation; remedial plans of these bodies and the role which we could play in supporting them.
2. Developments
• Consumption started for lightening the palaces of the King of
Cooch Behar in West Bengal and the King of Bikaner in
Rajasthan in 1886.
• In 1897 first Hydro Electric Power Station was installed at
Sidrapong under Darjeeling District of West Bengal.
• CESC Limited commenced electrification in Kolkata (Calcutta)
in 1899, as the first Thermal Power Station was
commissioned on 17th April, 1899.
• C.E.A. and D.V.C. in 1948 , Rural Electricity Corporation in
1969 and N.T.P.C. and N.H.P.C. in 1975 were formed.
• The Accelerated Power Development & Reform Programme
was launched in 2001 and Electricity Act was passed in 2003.
• Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana was set up in
April 2005.
i. Brief History
3. ii. Current Scenario
• As on 31-03-2011
i. Total Installed Capacity
1,73,626.40 MW
ii. Peak Requirement
1,36,193 MW
iii. Peak Availability
1,18,676 MW
Source: Ministry of Power iv. Deficit 12.9%
• Only power surplus states/UTs in terms of energy and peak -
Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Delhi, D.N. Haveli.
Thermal
65%
Hydro
22%
RES
10%
Nuclear
3%
Installed capacity
5. • The government is expected to miss its target of adding
78,577MW by around 60% because of shortage of equipment.
• High aggregate technical & commercial (AT&C) loss – 27.15% .
• Large commercial losses -
a) Poor billing, collection and metering.
b) Power theft – `45,000 crores.
• State Electricity Boards lose `1.10 per unit of electricity sold
and now their total loss is over `1,00,000 crores.
• Under-pricing and political interference in price determination
have worsened the financial situation of the main electricity
producers.
Issues
6. An electrical linesman repairs cables in Allahabad.
Illegal subsidiary wires are mangled to the main cables
7. Issues contd.
• The coal deficit in India to touch 142 million tonnes this fiscal.
• Shortage in power during peak hours has adverse effects on
economic growth.
• Low level of access to electricity and recurring black-outs
cause increased use of Battery powered inverters, Diesel
generator sets.
• Low end-use efficiency – Irrigation motor-pump sets used
specifically in agriculture, old appliances.
• Approximately 4% of total residential electricity used is for
stand-by power.
8. Remedies
• Increasing Generation:
i. Government has planned 16 Ultra mega power projects of
4000MW each using supercritical technology.
ii. Capacity addition in form of hydro, nuclear, captive power.
• Reducing Losses:
i. Restructured APDRP for actual, demonstrable performance
in terms of sustained loss reduction.
ii. Smart Grid, Distributed generation.
• Promoting Efficiency:
i. Encouragement to Slim T5 Tube lights, CFLs, Electronic
regulators.
ii. Introduction of capacitors on agriculture pumps and drinking
water supply schemes.
9. • Saving Electricity:
i. Saves environment
A bulb 100W x 24hr = 2.4KWh
Electricity generated by coal = 0.35 x 6150 =
2152.5KWh/ton, Coal burned = 1.115kg, CO2 produced =
2.30kg, Ash produced = 379g, NO2
produced = 6.34g, SO2 produced = 6.22g
10. ii. Saves power
‘Delhi may face power cut as supply falls short’ – India Today, 08th October 2011
‘More power cuts on cards for Chennai city, suburbs’ – Deccan Chronicle, 20th June 2011
‘Telangana strike makes Bangalore power problems worse’ – NDTV, 10th October 2011
‘Maharashtra to face power cuts for 11 hours daily’ – Economic Times, 06th October 2011
11. iii. Saves money
Power outages cost India over ` 43,000 crores in FY'09
– The Financial Express
Save Today Survive Tomorrow - Energy Saved is Energy Generated
– The Institution of Engineers (India)
12. Sound practices
• Avoid switching on of heavy duty appliances like washing
machines, geysers, irons, building water pumps during peak
hours, i.e. 6 am to 10 am, and 5 pm to 9 pm.
• Bring up use of Solar water heaters.
• Look for BEE star label while purchasing electrical appliances.
• Promptly switch off the lights and fans when the occupants
leave the room/hall.
• Take off the socket PCs, Laptops, TVs, Chargers, Mosquito
repellents after use.
• Use always the natural air and light; avoid switching on lights
during the day.
• Avoid wasteful use of water by regulated water flow.
