Conventional power output in India has fell to its lowest mark for FY20, as onset of winter and high rainfall had lowered electricity demand during Nov’19.
Typically, power demand surges during September and October with the dwindling of monsoon rains. However, output from conventional power sources in Nov’19 had continued the monthly decline stretching back from Jun’19.
Data provided by power ministry indicate that conventional power generation stood 93.54 Billion Units (BU) in Nov’19, down 5% on the month from 98.91 BU in Oct’19. Besides, output was down for the fourth straight month Y-o-Y, potentially reflecting a worsening industrial slowdown which has stifled overall economic growth.
Notably, generation in Nov’19 had fell 6% on the year from 99.78 BU noted in Nov’18.
A source wise break-up of generation shows that output from thermal power plants (including coal, diesel, and gas) was marked almost stable on the month at 79.43 BU in Nov’19 as against 79.11 BU in Oct’19, however, the volume had fell 10% on the year from 88.28 BU in Nov’18.
Power generation specifically from the coal-fired plants had come down 11% on the year, noted at 72.94 BU in Nov’19.
Output from hydro power sources began to recede on the month following the departure of torrential rains, as it fell 31% M-o-M to 10.13 BU in Nov’19. Meanwhile, the volume was still 24% higher on the year from 8.15 BU in Nov’18.
A hefty decline in power sourcing from nuclear plants and imports from Bhutan was also noted during the month.
| Conventional Source | Generation Target for Nov’19 | Generation in Nov’19 | Generation in Oct’19 | Generation in Nov’18 |
| Thermal | 91.28 | 79.43 | 79.11 | 88.28 |
| Hydro* | 8.24 | 10.13 | 14.64 | 8.15 |
| Nuclear | 3.63 | 3.64 | 4.31 | 3.23 |
| Bhutan Imports | 0.55 | 0.35 | 0.85 | 0.12 |
| Total | 103.70 | 93.54 | 98.91 | 99.78 |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in BU
*excludes generation from Hydro stations up to 25 MW
During the first 8 month of FY20 (Apr-Nov’19), power generation from conventional sources reached 851.51 BU, assessed at par with the levels of 849.09 BU attained in the year-ago period. Of the total output, generation from coal-fired plants was down 3% Y-o-Y to 638.72 BU in the 8-month period.
The decline in coal-fired power generation has occurred concurrently with subdued coal supplies to power sector, thus having a limited affect on power plants’ coal stock levels. Incidentally, CIL has assured of ramping up production and stepping up supplies to the power sector in the coming months.
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