India recorded a low power supply deficit of 0.7 percent in the eight-month period from April to November, 2016-17. Over 777,506 million units of electricity was produced, 1.05 percent less than the targeted 785,744 million units, stated the Central Electricity Authority (CEA).

The supply deficit is 0.7 percent and the peak deficit stands at 1.6 percent. Compared to the same period in financial year (FY) 2015-16, both the supply deficit and peak deficit dropped by half.

According to a CEA report, India’s energy deficit touched an all-time low of 2.1 percent in FY 2015-16.

The CEA expects that India will witness supply and peak surpluses by the end of the current FY of 1.1 percent and 2.6 percent respectively.

“The power deficit numbers are misleading and consumers are experiencing regular power cuts throughout the country. The reduction in the power deficit is largely due to a combination of drop in power demand in the commercial and industrial sector, and the poor financial health of DISCOMs,” said Raj Prabhu, CEO of Mercom Capital Group.

Mercom previously reported that the CEA estimated peak demand and energy requirements in the five-year period 2017-2022 to be 235,317 MW and 1,611 billion units; for the five-year period 2022-2027, 317,674 MW and 2,132 billion units will be needed.

Sampath has been part of the Mercom India research and news team since the company’s inception. He currently oversees all data and research relating to news published on the MercomIndia.com platform. Sampath received his Bachelor’s of Commerce Degree from Kuvempu University and Post Graduate Diploma in Management, from Indira Gandhi National Open University. More articles from Sampath Krishna.