Average Power Supply In Rural India Touched 20.6 Hours: RK Singh

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The Ministry of Power (MoP) data on power availability within the power sector showcased a growth trend in 2023. Union Power Minister RK Singh said that several reforms in the power sector brought several positive results, including reduced AT&C (Aggregate Technical and Commercial) losses. 

“The AT&C losses in the power sector went down to 15.41% (provisional) in FY 22-23, due to reforms under Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).” The ministry said that the government’s efforts led to growth in its power sector. This, the ministry said, transformed the country from a power-deficient to a power-sufficient state. It was possible with the additions of 1,94,394 MW of generation capacity in the past nine years.

India now has a total installed capacity of power generation of about 4,26,132 MW. RK Singh, in a statement, stated, “Out of total generation capacity of 9,943 MW added in the current year 2023-24, 1,674 MW is from fossil fuel sources and 8,269 is from non-fossil fuel sources.”

He described the growth within the rural area: “The availability of power in rural areas has increased from 12 hours in 2015 to 20.6 hours, and in the urban areas, it has increased up to 23.8 hours,” Singh said. 

In 2023-24, the peak demand has increased by 12.7% to 2,43,271 MW, and India’s peak shortage has been reduced to 1.4%. (3,340 MW). There is a reduction in shortage to 1.4% (3,340 MW) from 4.0% (8,657 MW) during the same period the previous year.

The power sector has also seen a rise in energy requirement to 8.6% (11,02,887 MU) during the current year 2023-24 from 10,15,908 MU during the same period the previous year. Energy availability has also increased by 8.9% to (10,99,907 MU) from (10,10,203 MU) during the same period the previous year.

The ministry also said that the electricity generation, including from Renewable Sources during 2023-24, is about 1176.130 BU as against 1092.520 BU during the same period last year, showing a growth of 7.7%. During 2023-24, energy shortage at all India levels has reduced to 0.3% (2,980 MU) concerning 0.6% (5,705 MU) during the same period the previous year. During 2023, 14,390 ckm of transmission lines, 61,591 MVA of transformation capacity and 4,290 MW Inter-regional Transfer Capacity has been added.