Saturday, 13th March 2010.

Indian Power Sector update Nov 2009

Written on Monday, 2nd November 2009 by Neeta

India has so far achieved only 17000 MW of capacity addition against some 78000 MW planned in 11th Five Year Plan which will be ending in March 2012. Country needs huge investments to the tune of $250 Billions in the coming 7-8 years, even if it strives to maintain 7.5% growth rate. Projections for the current plan indicates an achievement of roughly 78% (68000 MW against 78000 MW)which is in fact a great improvement from the earlier plan achievements where the figures have hovered around 50%.

The coming eight to ten years will see, India diversifying in to other alternate sources of energies. Wind, Solar Photovoltaic, Nuclear and Gas will have investments and their respective share in the energy matrix will go up northwards. Coal will continue to be the major fuel in the energy basket. But indigenous supplies will come under heavy pressures. In fact, state run utilities have started feeling the pressures even now.

Wind will continue to grow at 15-20% while Solar PV manufacturing will go ballistic. 20000 MW of Solar PV by 2020 is definitely achievable and India must win this 20-20 game. Power Sector is going to be another area which will generate huge employment opportunities in India. Close to 150000 skilled and semiskilled personnel will be needed to fill up the gap. This is would be over and above the skilled manpower which the country has now.