INTRODUCTION
Electric power generation in India is done predominantly by government sector entities. These are controlled by various central public sector corporations, such as: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, National Thermal Power Corporation and various state level corporations (State Electricity Boards - SEBs). The transmission and distribution is managed by the State Electricity Boards (SEBs) or private companies. Private sector participation is increasing especially in Generation and Distribution:
? Distribution licenses for several cities are already with the private sector
? Many large generation projects have been planned in the private sector
INSTALLED CAPACITY
? India has the fifth largest electricity generation capacity in the world
- Low per capita consumption at 606 units; less than half of China
? T & D network of 5.7 million circuit km ? the 3rd largest in the world
? Coal-fired plants constitute 53% of the installed generation capacity, followed by 25% from hydel power, 10% gas based, 3% from nuclear energy and 8% from renewable sources
? The overall generation in the country has increased from 617.5 BU during 2005-2006 to 662.5 BU during the year 2006-07. The overall generation improved as follows:
Energy Type Improved By
Thermal 6.1%
Hydro 11.9%
Nuclear 7.9%
Bhutan Imp. 70.6%
Overall Growth Rate 7.3%
* Source: http://infrastructure.gov.in/power.htm
There has been significant improvement in the growth in actual generation over the last f ...