)
India's electricity generation touched the 1 trillion units mark during 2014-15 for the first time, showing a growth of 8.4 per cent over the previous year. Since 1991-92, the compounded annual growth rate of electricity generation has been around 5 to 6.6 per cent, said a government report.
The biggest contributor was the coal-based power stations which recorded an annual growth rate of 12.1 per cent. Out of 22,566 Mw added during the year 2014-15, the contribution of thermal power sector was significant i.e. 20,830 Mw (92 per cent of the total).
The report said government's focus has increased on power transmission and distribution. "Steps were taken by the government for expediting forest clearances and intensive monitoring of critical transmission lines. 22,101 circuit kilometers (ckm) of transmission lines have been commissioned during the year 2014-15 against 16,748 ckm commissioned during the same period last year, thus having a growth of 31.96% which is the highest ever achievement in a single year," it said.
The government data analysis also said due to huge capacity addition along with higher generation and improved transmission capacity resulted in reducing electricity energy shortage from a level to 3.6 per cent from 7 to 11 per cent during the last two decades.
Among the new plants added are NTPC's 660 MW unit at Barh in Bihar, which is the first indigenously manufactured super critical unit. NHPC and SJVNL completed their projects at Parbati III and Rampur respectively. The gas based Monarchak Power Plant of 65.4 MW, Agartala ST-II of 25.5 MW and Palatana Unit-II of 363.3 MW were also commissioned during the year in Tripura which will benefit the entire North East.
