India: Conventional Power Generation Up 4% M-o-M in May’17

Power generation has increased for the third month in a row, indicating uptrend in electricity demand.

Power generation from conventional sources stood 107.06 BU (Billion units) in May’17, 4% higher than 103.23 BU produced during Apr’17. Power generation also increased 7% Y-o-Y compared with 99.90 BU in May’16.

Power from conventional sources includes generation from thermal sources( Coal, Gas,Diesel),  Hydro power, Nuclear power and electricity imported from Bhutan. India has generated 210.22 BU during Apr’17-May’17, according to the data provided by Power Ministry.

The country has set power generation target of 1229.4 BU from conventional sources during FY18 (Apr’17-Mar’18).

Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in BU
* Excludes generation from Hydro power stations upto 25 MW

Capacity Addition during May’17:
India added 1200 MW of power capacity during the month, with the commissioning of three coal-fired power units. Out of these, two units were from Nasik Power Plant (2X270 MW) and one unit was from Bara Power Project(1X660 MW).

However, Due to ageing 4 units of Utran Combine cycle power plant (CCPP) having capacity of 144 MW (3X33 MW, 1X45MW) was retired. Hence, Net capacity addition during the month was 1056 MW.

During the first two months of FY18 (Apr’17-May’17), 3756 MW capacity has been added, while 344 MW power capacity has been retired due to ageing.

Total power plant installed capacity of India stood 330260.53 MW as on May’17.

Plant Load Factor:
PLF of thermal power plant in India was 64.39 in May’17, down by 1.65% M-o-M compared with 65.47 in Apr’17. While, PLF in May’17 was higher than the PLF recorded during May’16, by 3.6% Y-o-Y.

Indian Government is planning to take necessary measures to revive power sector having stressed assets. Plant load factor of thermal based plants was 59.88 during FY17.

PLF of Nuclear plants fell by 15.8% M-o-M to 55.28 in May’17, as nuclear power generation fell 12% during the month.