According to the tentative report provided by the Power Ministry, India’s power generation from the conventional sources had slightly fell on the month to 103.45 BU in Apr’18, against 105.47 BU in Mar’18.
Power generation from Conventional sources include thermal power generation (from Coal, diesel and gas plants), Hydro power, Nuclear power and electricity imported from Bhutan.
Power generation in Apr’18 was almost unchanged on the yearly basis from 103.15 BU in Apr’17, but was 2% higher than its monthly programmed schedule of 101.497 BU.
The power ministry has targeted conventional power generation of 1265 BU for the FY19.
Source-wise Break-up:
Power generation from thermal plants decreased 3% M-o-M to 92.62 BU in Apr’18, compared with 95.31 BU in Mar’18. However, monthly power output was 3% higher than its programmed schedule of 90.157 BU.
Power generation from the other sources (Hydro, Nuclear and electricity imported from Bhutan) had increased on the monthly basis in Apr’18.
| Source | Target for Apr’18 | Actual Generation in Apr’18 | Actual Generation in Mar’18 | %Change |
| Thermal | 90.157 | 92.62 | 95.31 | -3% |
| Hydro* | 8.657 | 7.52 | 7.01 | 7% |
| Nuclear | 2.508 | 3.22 | 3.06 | 5% |
| Bhutan Imports | 0.175 | 0.09 | 0.078 | 15% |
| Total Conventional Sources | 101.497 | 103.45 | 105.47 | -2% |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in BU
Coal shortage at Power plants still looming:
Despite a monthly decline in thermal power generation, coal stock at the power plants has fallen on the monthly basis.
Several factors have contributed to the depletion of the coal stock, one of them being the higher capacity utilization of the thermal plants. During the month of Apr’18, thermal power plants had recorded capacity utilization of 64.90, which was 6% higher than the programmed value of 61.16.
The closure of several coal-fired power plant units in Punjab and Gujarat has increased the coal consumption at the other operational plants than their expected value, necessitating higher capacity utilization. Moreover, the downfall in Hydro power has also added burden on the thermal plants.
Even though, Hydro power generation had increase on the monthly basis in Apr’18, it was 26% lower on the year compared with 10.185 BU in Apr’17.
As per the data provided by CEA, the available coal stock at the power plants (having linkages) were assessed at 15.604 MnT as on 8 May’18, 4% lower on the month compared with 16.267 MnT coal recorded on 8 Apr’18. The present coal stock holds good only for 10 days of power generation, with 29 plants were having critical stock of less than 7 days available with them.
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