The power gap widens

Data provided by the CMIE Monthly Review for States, May 8217;08, has shown that growth in power generation has exceeded that of power requirement. However, there remain shortages across states. Even states which attract a majority of approved FDI, like Gujarat and Maharashtra, have failed to deliver. Despite an increase in generation, the difference between requirement and availability of electricity has increased, but at a faster rate.

The deficit ranged from 30 million kw/h in Uttarakhand, to a whopping 2,487 million kw/h in Maharashtra in February this year. Going by this trend, the situation is moving from bad to worse. Though some states like Andhra Pradesh and Chattisgarh have managed to bring their deficit down to 275 million kw/h and 46 million kw/h respectively, the success is minimal when one looks at the overall picture.

In Andhra Pradesh, generation grew 14.49 per cent in February compared to last year. Even as generation grew 8.4 per cent, there was still a shortage of 273 million kw/h. The situation is equally grave for other southern states where the difference ranges from 59 million kw/h in Kerala, to 268 million kw/h in Tamil Nadu.