The average energy shortage during November showed a marginal increase to 10.4 per cent despite a fall in peak power deficit to 12.9 per cent from 15.6 per cent in October due to the onset of winter and the consequent reduction in peak demand, according to the latest data available.

Power generation capacity addition also continues to lag behind targets. Capacity added in the eight months of the current financial year — 5,115 Mw — is just 41 per cent of the targetted capacity addition during the period.

Electricity generation during the month was also depressed by 4 per cent, at 54,113 million units (MUs) compared to 56,547 MUs in October.

“It could be due to some plants being shut for overhauling,” says a power-sector expert and adds that even the capacity addition has not happened as planned, which would affect the power generation.

Regionwise, the western region, which houses the industrialised states, like Maharashtra and Gujarat, continued to reel under high peak and energy shortage.

While the peak shortage in the region was almost 21 per cent in November, the energy shortage stood at 16 per cent. Maharashtra had a peak deficit of 22 per cent and energy shortage of 17 per cent.

In the northern region, Uttar Pradesh was one of the worst performers with an energy shortage of 16 per cent and a peak deficit of over 21 per cent.

The shortage in power supply, on an average, is mainly due to increased load due to cold weather conditions, says a power ministry official.

An acute shortage of equipment and manpower is responsible for the non-performance of the power sector. “Also, acute shortage of vendors for balance-of-plant equipment is delaying the commissioning of plants, which is affecting the power supply,” said the power ministry official.