Indian power generation from conventional sources continued its rising trend in FY19, to cater the growing electricity demand in the country. According to the tentative data provided by Power ministry, power generation increased 4% Y-o-Y to 1249.19 BU (Billion Units) in FY19 compared with 1206.306 BU in FY18.
Coal has been the dominating fuel to meet the energy demands in the country, which has been proved again this year. Major contribution in power generation was recorded from the thermal sources which include generation from coal, lignite, gas and diesel based power plants.
Thermal power generation increased 3% Y-o-Y to 1072.01 BU, out of which coal fired power plants had contributed 987.415 BU in FY19.
In fact, share of power output from coal-fired plants was nearly 80% of the total volume in FY19.
Hydro plants recorded a remarkable growth in power generation during FY19. Output from hydro sources increased 7% Y-o-Y to 135.04 BU and had also attained the annual target set for FY19.
Output from Nuclear plants had fell 2% Y-o-Y to 37.706 BU in FY19. Remaining amount of electricity was imported from Bhutan.
| Source | Generation Target for FY19 | Generation in FY19 | Generation in FY18 | %Change |
| Thermal | 1091.5 | 1072.012 | 1037.059 | 3% |
| Hydro* | 130.00 | 135.040 | 126.123 | 7% |
| Nuclear | 38.50 | 37.706 | 38.346 | -2% |
| Bhutan Imports | 5.00 | 4.433 | 4.778 | -7% |
| Total | 1265.00 | 1249.192 | 1206.306 | 4% |
Source: Power ministry
Quantity in BU
*excludes generation from Hydro stations upto 25 MW
Is India ready to meet the summer demand?
An increased power generation had helped the thermal plants to record a PLF of 61.01% in FY19, which had witnessed y-o-y growth for the second straight year.
However, the actual challenge will arise in the summer season to meet the elevated power demand.
Coal-fired power plants have been crying foul about the lack of coal availability, but with an elevated coal supply from CIL, stock at power plants had swelled to 30.947 MnT at the end of FY19.
Besides, not a single plant was reported under critical or super-critical condition, which had previously totaled 28 at the end of FY18.
CIL has also claimed that a combined stock of 84 MnT at power plants and pitheads at the end of FY19, would be sufficient to meet the demand in the country. It would be interesting to see how the power plants will perform in the coming months.
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