India’s power generation from the conventional sources had risen to its highest monthly total in May’18 over the 2017-18 period.
According to the tentative report provided by the Power Ministry, power generation from the conventional sources had increased 7% on the month to 110.61 BU (Billion Unit) in May’18, against 103.45 BU in Apr’18.
Generation in May’18 was also 3% higher on the year compared with 107.29 BU in May’17.
Power generation from Conventional sources include thermal power generation (from Coal, diesel and gas plants), Hydro power, Nuclear power and electricity imported from Bhutan.
Source-wise Break-up:
Power generation from thermal plants had also achieved its highest monthly total of 2017-18, rising 4% M-o-M to 96.58 BU in May’18, from 92.62 BU in Apr’18.
Nuclear power generation during the month stood 3.09 BU, down 4% M-o-M from 3.22 BU in Apr’18.
However, both the thermal and nuclear plants had generated more electricity than their respective programmed schedule for the month of May’18.
On the other hand, hydro power generation had recorded remarkable growth of 41% on the month to 10.64 BU in May’18. But, hydro plants had produced 10% lesser electricity than its programmed schedule of 11.82 BU, while the generation on the yearly basis was also 14% down from 12.42 BU in May’17.
| Source | Target for May’18 | Actual Generation in May’18 | Actual Generation in Apr’18 | %Change |
| Thermal | 92.869 | 96.58 | 92.62 | 4% |
| Hydro* | 11.82 | 10.64 | 7.52 | 41% |
| Nuclear | 2.716 | 3.09 | 3.22 | -4% |
| Bhutan Imports | 0.325 | 0.30 | 0.09 | 219% |
| Total Conventional Sources | 107.73 | 110.61 | 103.45 | 7% |
Source: Power Ministry
Quantity in BU
*excludes generation from Hydro stations upto 25 MW
Impact of the Rise in Power Generation:
The spurt in power demand for the summer season had resulted in coal stock at the thermal power plants (having coal linkage) falling to 14.82 MnT as on 31 May’18, sufficient for 9 days of power generation.
In contrast, the need to restock coal before the monsoon season and increased demand for power had incite higher imports in May’18, wherein the major power producers (using imported coal) had recorded growth in imports during the month.
As per the data compiled by CoalMint Research, Indian non-coking coal imports had increased 19% M-o-M to 16.04 MnT in May’18, which was also the highest monthly import since Jun’15.
With the demand for power expected to decrease in Jun’18 and many traders said to have booked their coal vessels prior to the rainy season, Indian coal buying is likely to slow down in the coming months.
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