Indian power generation from conventional sources has decreased 3% on the month to 105.5 BU (Billion Units) in Aug’19 compared with 108.41 BU in Jul’19, as per the tentative data provided by power ministry.
The month of August typically depicts an uptick in power demand, with resumption of industrial activities post monsoon. However, overturning the trend seen in the past years, power output had decreased on the month, while recording hefty shortfall from the assigned target during Aug’19.
The power output was also at par with the levels attained in the year-ago period, marked at 105.79 BU in Aug’18.
A break-up of power generation shows that barring thermal plants, all the other power sources had attained their monthly output target for Aug’19.
| Source | Target for Aug’19 | Generation in Aug’19 | Generation in Jul’19 | Generation in Aug’18 |
| Thermal | 89.94 | 80.49 | 87.37 | 83.4 |
| Hydro* | 18.62 | 19.84 | 15.78 | 18.60 |
| Nuclear | 4.07 | 4.16 | 4.38 | 2.75 |
| Bhutan Imports | 0.90 | 1.00 | 0.88 | 1.04 |
| Total | 113.53 | 105.50 | 108.41 | 105.79 |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in Billion Units
*excludes generation from Hydro stations upto 25 MW
Thermal power plants’ output had fell 8% M-o-M to 80.49 BU in Aug’19, which was also 3% lower on the year from 83.4 BU in Aug’18.
Incessant rain in hilly areas and high water level in dams has spelled a boon for the hydro power plants, as it witnessed a multi-month high output in the month of Aug’19. Power generation from hydro plants rose 26% M-o-M to 19.84 BU in Aug’19, which was also 7% higher on the year from 18.6 BU in Aug’18.
Notably, in the back drop of higher power availability from hydro plants, Punjab State Power Corporation (PSPCL) had shut down its thermal units last month. During the first 5 months of FY20 (Apr-Aug’19) total power generation from PSPCL’s hydro plants was recorded at 2,588.5 Million Units (MU), up 69% Y-o-Y in comparison to 1,533 MUs noted in the last fiscal year.
Easing further pressure off the thermal plants to produce more electricity, nuclear plants attained power output in excess of 4 BU for the third straight month during Aug’19. Output from nuclear plants dropped 5% M-o-M to 4.16 BU in Aug’19, but was 51% higher on the year from 2.75 BU in Aug’18.
Muted Off-take Continues to Deplete Coal Stock:
Despite coal-fired power generation tumbling to its lowest mark for the FY20 during Aug’19, coal stock at power continued its descend m-o-m amid lower coal supplies.
Output of coal-fired plants declined 8% on the month to 74 BU in Aug’19.
Data provided by CEA indicate that the available coal stock at the plants (having coal linkages) was recorded at 20.609 MnT as on 8 Sep’19, down 14% M-o-M from 24.069 MnT noted in the month-ago period.
With the current stock volumes assessed to last only for 12 days of power generation, it is likely that CIL would take immediate measures to revive the power plants.
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