The average availability of power has increased from 12 hours in 2015 to 20.6 hours in rural areas and 23.8 hours in urban areas, according to a release by the Union Ministry of Power. The government has added 1,94,394 MW of electricity generation capacity in the past nine years, as per the release.
Energy generation capacity in India
The present energy generation capacity now sums up to 4,26,132 MW. About 9,943 MW capacity has been added in 2023-24, of which 1,674 MW is fossil fuels based, while 8,269 MW is non-fossil fuel sources. About 7,659 MW of renewable energy capacity (including large hydro) was added, consisting of 5,531 MW solar, 1931 MW wind, 34MW biomass, 42MW small hydro and 30MW of Large Hydro Generation capacity.
Total Electricity consumption and shortage in India
Interestingly, all India peak shortage has reduced to 1.4 per cent (3,340 MW) concerning 4 per cent (8,657 MW) during the same period in the previous year. The energy requirement has also increased by 8.6 per cent to 11,02,887 MU during 2023-24 from 10,15,908 MU in 2022-23. The energy availability has also increased by 8.9 per cent to 10,99,907 MU during the year from 10,10,203 MU.
Electricity transmission network in India
According to the release, 14,390 ckm of transmission lines, 61,591 MVA of transformation capacity and 4,290 MW Inter-regional Transfer Capacity have been added in 2023. Over the past nine years, the transmission network of 1,87,849 ckm has been added, making it to 4,79,185 ckm. It also makes the largest national synchronous transmission grid in the world. The total inter-regional capacity to transfer power from one region to another is enhanced to 1,16,540 MW (224.17% increase) from 35,950 MW in last 9 years.
