india power scenario

India power scenario

Government of India has ambitious mission of power for all by 2012. This mission would require that installed generation   capacity should be at least 2.00,000 M.W. by 2012 from present level of 1,64,800 M.W. India planned to install power generation capacity of 1,00,000M.W. during 12th five year plan and same additional  power  capacity of 1,00,000 M.W. during 13th five ear plan . Power requirement by reach 4,00,000 M.W. by 2020.

Power policy objectives
1. Sufficient power to achieve G.D.P. growth rate above 8.5 per cent
2. Reliable power.
3. Quality of power
4. Optimum power cost
5. Commercial viability power utilities and investors.
6. Power for all
India power sector needs investment of up to 400 billion dollars in five years to end March 2017 power sectary P.Umasankar said on Thursday. India plans to add 62 G.W. of generating capacity mainly using coal, in the five years  to end March  2012 an attempt to reduce peak hour power shortages and provide electricity to millions of house holds. But coal shortages have crumpled power generation.

The ministry of power is apex body responsible for development of electrical energy  in India. India 6th largest energy consumer accounting 3.4 per cent global energy consumption. Due India’s economic rise, the demand for energy has grown at average 3.6 per cent per an um over past 30 years. In June 2010 the installed power generating capacity is 1,62,366 M.W.,while  per ca-pita energy consumption 640 MHW. The set target to add 78,000 M.W. during the year 2009-2010 which it likely may miss. The total demand for electricity expected to cross 900,00 0 M.W. by 2030.

About 70 per cent of electricity consumed is generated by thermal power plants and while India produces 21 per cent by hydro electric power plants and 4 per cent by nuclear power plants. More than 50 per cent of India’s commercial energy demand met though the vast coal reserves. The country has invested heavily in recent years in renewable energy sources wind energy and solar energy. At 2010 June India installed wind generating capacity stood 12,100 M.W. In addition India committed massive amount of funds for construction of various nuclear power plants(reactors ) in coastal areas of India which would take India nuclear power capacity to 63,000 M.W. by 2032.In July 2009  India unveiled 20 billion dollars plan to produce 20,000 M.W. by 2020.

Thermal power

Grand total power installed capacity as on 30.09.2010 is 1,62,366 M.W.
Current thermal power installed capacity is 1,06,517 M.W.  which 64.6 per cent total installed capacity.
Current installed base of coal based thermal  power plants is 87,943 M.W. which is 53.3 per cent of total installed capacity.
Current installed base gas based thermal power plants 17,374.85 M.W. which is 10.5 per cent of total installed capacity.
Current installed oil based thermal power plants is 1199.75 M.W. which 0.9 per cent of total installed capacity.

Hydro power

 India has one of pioneering countries of producing hydro power plants in world.  The present installed capacity of hydro power as on 30.06.2010 is  approximately 37,328 M.W.  Major hydro power generated by NHPC and state hydro power projects.

Nuclear power

India has 20 nuclear power plants running with by generating 4,560 M.W.  which is 2.9 per cent of total installed power capacity. Four nuclear reactors  under construction.

Electricity transmission and distribution losses are extremely high and vary between 30-45 per cent,  however last several years  T&D  losses have come down considerably  since major state utilities have taken several measures like using all aluminum alloy conductors (AAAC) and other actions like  prevention of theft  of conductors hence  transmission and distribution loses have come down to approximately 20 per cent. Power cuts are common throughout India and this has adversely effected country’s economic growth. Despite Rural electricity commission ambitious program some 400 millions in Indians  have no access to electricity during black outs. While  80 per cent of Indian villages have at least electricity line, just 52.5 per cent   rural house holds have to access to electricity. In overall electrification rate in India is 64.5 per cent while 35.5 per cent population still  without  access to electricity according to a sample survey.

Renewable power
Current installed base of renewable energy is 16,942 M.W. which is 7.7 per cent of total installed capacity of power.

Transmission of power

Transmission of electricity is defined as bulk transfer of power over a long distance at high voltage generally of 132 K.V. and above .India’s bulk transmission lines has increased from 3708 circuit kilometers to 1,65,000 ckm  as per power grid corporation of India. The entire country divided with five regions for transmission of power system. Namely northern region, north east region, eastern region ,southern region and western region.

Inter connected transmission systems within each region is called regional grid.

The transmission system planning in country in past traditionally linked to generation projects as part of evacuation system. Ability of power system to safely withstand a contingency without generation rescheduling or load shedding was main criterion for planning   transmission system. However due to various reasons such as spatial development of load net work non commissioning of load centre generating units originally planned and deficit in reactive compensation. Certain pockets in power system could not safely operate even under normal condition. This had necessitated backing down generation and  operating at a lower load generation balance in the past. Transmission planning has therefore moved away from earlier generation evacuation system planning to integrate system planning. While predominant technology for electricity transmission and distribution has been Alternative current (AC) technology. High voltage direct current (HVDC) technology has also been used for inter connection of all regional grids across country and for bulk transmission power over long distances.

Distribution

Total installed generating capacity 1,64,700 M.W. while total number of consumers 144 million. Apart from  transmission net work at 500 KV HVDC ,400 KV, 220 KV,132 KV,66KV which  has been developed to transmit the power from generating station to the substation as was vast net work of sub transmission distribution system has also come up for utilization of power by ultimate consumer. 

However due to lack of adequate investments on transmission and distribution (T&d)  losses have been  consistently higher side .the reduction these loses was essential to bring  economic viability to state utilities.

The massive investments in transmission lines  and distribution lines with energy saving alloy conductors  AAA CONDUCTORS  and in addition construction and erection of towers and substation stations  essential for reducing T&D loses .