India’s conventional power generation has fallen to its lowest total for FY19 in Jul’18, as the monsoon season had lowered the demand for thermal power.
According to the tentative report provided by the Power Ministry, power generation from the conventional sources have decreased 2% M-o-M to 102.325 BU (Billion Unit) in Jul’18, against 104.023 BU in Jun’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.
Conventional power generation continued to post higher gains on the year, as the total output in Jul’18 was 4% more than the levels attained in Jul’17.
During the first 4 months of FY19 (Apr’18-Jul’18), total conventional power generation have reached 421.310 BU, up 4% Y-o-Y from 406.086 BU in Apr’17-Jul’17.
Source-wise Power Generation in Jul’18:
During the month of July, rainy season in the country had boosted the hydro power generation which had risen to its highest monthly total for FY19.
Hydro power output had increased 18% M-o-M to 15.784 BU in Jul’18, which was also 2% higher on the year compared with 15.454 BU in Jul’17.
The rise in hydro power output weighted down the thermal power generation, which had fell to its lowest monthly total since Feb’18. Thermal power generation was down 5% M-o-M to 82.184 BU in Jul’18, but was still 5% higher on the year from 78.628 BU in Jul’17.
Moreover, among all the sources, only thermal plants had produced less power than their scheduled program in Jul’18.
Nuclear power generation stood 3.471 BU with a slight fall in monthly output during Jul’18, but was 14% higher on the year from 3.042 BU in Jul’17.
| Source | Target for Jul’18 | Actual Generation in Jul’18 | Actual Generation in Jul’17 | %Change |
| Thermal | 86.316 | 82.184 | 78.628 | 5% |
| Hydro* | 15.454 | 15.784 | 15.454 | 2% |
| Nuclear | 2.632 | 3.471 | 3.042 | 14% |
| Bhutan Imports | 0.59 | 0.886 | 0.983 | -10% |
| Total Conventional Sources | 104.992 | 102.325 | 98.107 | 4% |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in BU
*excludes generation from Hydro stations upto 25 MW
Indian coal imports will be largely affected by the output from hydro power plants this year. If there is favourable output from hydro power sufficient enough to support the rising thermal power, Indian import demand would be lessened. However, a lower hydro output would again upstage a surge in coal imports like the previous year.
Leave a Reply