Power generation from conventional sources continued the steady growth in June, in line with the increased demand post easing of restrictions in most parts of the country. However, the output has failed to match the levels attained in pre lock-down months.
Tentative data provided bypower ministry shows that the generation increased by 3% m-o-m to 99.54 BU (billion Units) in Jun’20 against 96.5 BU in May’20. Besides, marking improvement in y-o-y basis, the output was down 12% from 112.95 BU in Jun’19, thus recording its slowest fall in the past three months.
Incidentally, total electricity generated in the first quarter period (Apr-Jun’20) was down 18% y-o-y to 277.09 BU against 339.26 BU in the corresponding period of previous year.
Source-wise Generation:
Target for Jun’20 witnessed a reduction by 4% m-o-m to 119.09 BU, in which barring other sources, the cut-back was solely taken-up for thermal power generation.
Despite the set target being lower, the thermal plants managed a total electricity generation of 77.51 BU in Jun’20, thus recording a slight decline m-o-m from 77.89 BU in May’20.
On the other hand, must-run status for hydro-plants meant that they had reported an increase in generation volume by 22% m-o-m to 17.06 BU in Jun’20, which was also 19% higher on the year from 14.34 BU in Jun’19.
| Source | Generation Target for Jun’20 | Generation in Jun’20 | Generation in May’20 | Generation in Jun’19 |
| Thermal | 100.61 | 77.51 | 77.89 | 94.22 |
| Hydro | 14.20 | 17.06 | 14.03 | 14.34 |
| Nuclear | 3.43 | 3.70 | 3.80 | 4.05 |
| Bhutan Imports | 0.86 | 1.27 | 0.78 | 0.33 |
| Total | 119.09 | 99.54 | 96.50 | 112.95 |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in Billion Units
Coal-fired plants awaiting revival
Not much progress was noticed in coal-fired power generation which decreased 20% y-o-y to 69.51 BU in Jun’20, moreover the volume receded m-o-m from 69.66 BU in May’20.
Generally, fall in coal stock is not considered a positive sign for the heath of power sector, however, recent decline recorded at the plants have raised hope of demand restoration for domestic coal.
Data provided by CEA indicates that combined coal stock at power plants have fallen 12% to 44.46 mn t as on 7 Jul’20 against 50.44 mn t recorded in the same date previous month.
Still, the power plants are waiting for the full-fledged resumption of industrial activity in order to match the pre-lock down levels. Although graded relaxations have incited higher electricity consumption from northern region, a fall in demand was recorded from western and southern part of India during the month.
Region-wise power requirement
| Region | Jun’20 | May’20 | % Change |
| Northern | 37,749 | 30,905 | 22% |
| Western | 28,408 | 31,451 | -10% |
| Southern | 25,978 | 27,959 | -7% |
| Eastern | 12,005 | 11,090 | 8% |
| North-Eastern | 1,466 | 1,246 | 18% |
| Total | 105,606 | 102,651 | 3% |
Quantity in Million Units
Leave a Reply