Power Infrastructure: Sources, Challenges and Measures to meet Power Crisis

Power or electricity is a vital infrastructure component usually identified with advancement in modern civilization. Power is necessary at every stage to achieve economic development. The demand for power is rising year after year due to the development of several sectors of the economy. In general, the growth in the demand for electricity is higher than the GDP growth rate. Hence, the power supply must increase by about 12% yearly in order to fulfil the target of 8% GDP per annum. Besides, a significant amount of investment is regularly made in the development of new power projects in order to meet this rising demand for power.

Sources of Power Generation

The three main sources of electricity in India are as follows:

1. Thermal Power: 

The power produced from fuels like coal, oil, or natural gas is referred to as thermal power. It is the main source of electricity, producing 82% of all power generated in 2018 (total).

2. Hydro-electric Power: 

Hydro-electric Power is generated when water from fast-flowing rivers or high dams is used to generate electricity. It is the least expensive of the three sources and contains no pollution agents. It is a type of renewable energy source, and is generating 8.5% of all power generated in 2018 (total).

3. Nuclear or Atomic Power: 

Nuclear or Atomic Power is generated from radioactive elements such as uranium, thorium, and plutonium. It is the second-most up-to-date source of power, whose production mostly started in the years 1970–1971. In the long run, atomic energy is expected to be affordable and has a positive effect on the environment. It is generating 2.5% of all power generated in 2018 (total).

India’s Energy Policy encourages two energy sources: Hydel and Wind. These sources do not rely on fossil fuel and avoid carbon emissions. This has resulted in faster growth of electricity produced from these two sources.

Power Generation Capacity of Various Sources

A number of steps have been taken to increase power generation in order to meet the increased demand for power from different sectors of the economy. Hence, electricity generation in thermal, hydroelectric, and nuclear projects has grown significantly. As of 31^st October 2021, the installed power generation capacity increased from 1,700 Megawatts (MW) in 1950–1951 to 3,90,791 MW.

Power Generation Capacity in India (2018)

Observations:

• Thermal Power: The largest source of energy production in India is thermal power. Thermal sources generate 82% of total power generation capacity. 
• Hydro-electric Power: Hydro-electric power generates 8.5% of overall power generation capacity.
• Nuclear Power: Nuclear power comprises only 2.5% of total installed capacity (compared to the global average of 13%). Some scholars suggest using nuclear (atomic) sources to produce more electricity, while a few others disagree due to concerns for the environment and sustainable development.

Challenges in Power Sector

During the last four decades of planning, power development has been significant. Power generation; however, is still insufficient compared to demand. As a result, India has recently been experiencing a severe power shortage. Some of the difficulties that India’s power sector is currently facing are as follows: 

1. Insufficient Power Generation: India’s installed capacity to produce power is insufficient to sustain a 7–8% annual economic growth. India’s commercial energy supply needs to develop at a rate of approximately seven percent in order to meet the rising demand for electricity. Currently, India can only add 20,000 MW per year.

2. Underutilisation of Installed Capacity: Installed capacity is underutilised because plants do not run correctly. The ‘Plant Load Factor’ (PLF) measures how effectively power plants operate when there is excess demand. The Plant Load Factor ratio is the average power generated by a plant to the maximum power that might have been generated for a given time period. In 2020-21, PLF in India was about 53.37%, which implies that only 53.37% of the installed capacity was used, and the rest was wasted. Hence, PLF is very poor and inadequate effort is needed to improve it.

3. Unsatisfactory performance of State Electricity Boards (SEBs): State Electricity Boards (SEBs), which distribute electricity, incur losses exceeding ₹20,000 crores. The reason for this is operational inefficiencies, incorrect electricity pricing, and transmission and distribution losses. A major portion of these losses is due to power theft and free supply of power to farmers. 

4. Input Shortage: Thermal power plants, the backbone of India’s power sector, are facing a shortage of raw materials and coal supply.

5. Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Losses: Electricity generated by various power stations is not entirely used by ultimate consumers; a portion of it is consumed by power station auxiliaries. A percentage of the power is also lost during power transmission. These energy losses happen during the electricity distribution process due to “Technical” and “Commercial” losses.

• Technical losses are caused by energy waste in conductors, transformers, and other power transmission equipment.
• Commercial losses result from pilferage by hooking, malfunctioning meters, meter reading problems, etc.
• Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses occur when commercial losses are added to technical losses.

6. Limited Role of Private and Foreign Entrepreneurs: Private sector power producers and foreign investors have yet to have a major effect.

7. Lack of Public Cooperation: There is widespread public anger as a result of high electricity prices and protracted power outages in many regions of the nation.

Additionally, thermal power plants, the backbone of India’s power sector are suffering from a lack of raw materials and coal. India’s present energy production cannot keep up with the country’s growing economy and population. So, immediate actions must be made to restore the physical as well as financial health of current power projects.

Measures to meet Power Crisis

Following are some of the measures that are required to meet power crisis:

1. Improvement in Plant Load Factor (PLF): The Plant Load Factor is a crucial indicator of a thermal power plant’s operating performance. The plant’s capacity will be used more effectively with an improved Plant Load factor. 

2. Control of Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Losses: Since T&D losses negatively impact the financial stability of power utilities, they must be efficiently controlled to solve the current power crisis. These losses can be reduced by the following measures:

• Use of accurate and temper-proof electric meters.
• Correct selection of conductor size and also the transformer in terms of efficiency, size, and location.
• Effective load balancing and load management.
• Installing capacitor banks along transmission lines can enhance the availability of reactive power.
• Increasing power factor with shunt capacitors.

3. Increasing Productive Capability: Thermal power plants’ production capability is underutilised in India. Its productive capability should be expanded to control the power issue.

4. Encouraging the function of the Private Sector: Although the private sector has made some advancements, it is important to tap this sector to come forward and generate power on a large scale. With over 95% of its investments coming from the private sector, India is the fifth-largest producer of wind power worldwide.

5. Promote the use of Renewable Resources: The use of renewable resources can ensure a greater supply of electricity. There is a huge potential for satisfying energy needs in India because of the abundance of biomass, especially in rural and isolated locations. Increased reliance on renewable energy sources has huge advantages for the economy, society, and environment. 

6. Hydropower Development: India has an estimated hydropower potential of more than 1,50,000 MW. However, as of now, just 21.14% of the potential has been realised. Thus, there is a serious need to fully investigate the potential of hydropower.