India to turn a power surplus nation by 2017

New Delhi: The Central government plans to make India a Power surplus nation in 2016-17. According to the Load Generation Balance Report (LGBR) for 2016-17, the Centre has set a target of generating 1,178 billion units with overall surplus of 1.1 per cent and peak surplus of 2.6 per cent.

The government used to plan generation with deficit of power in the past in its LGBRs, which are brought out every year to project electricity demand and supply situation. The LGBR is finalised by the Central Electricity Authority and approved by the Power Ministry after detailed discussions with the states/utilities and Central/State/Private generation companies.

A generating capacity above 16,654.5 mw has been considered in the LGBR for 2016-17. These measures are expected to help the deficit states reduce their shortfall. Surplus energy is anticipated at 3.3 per cent and 6.9 per cent in the southern and western regions, respectively. Northern, eastern and north-eastern regions are likely to face energy shortage of 1.8 per cent, 10.3 per cent and 8.3 per cent, respectively.