India energy peak deficit, shortage dip in May

India's peak deficit and energy shortage, the two key indicators of the power and energy availability situation, registered a dip in May 2011 from the previous month.

Peak deficit fell to 9.3% in May from 10.8% in April 2011, to 9.3%, while energy shortage decreased to 6.4%, from 7.6%.

According to the Monthly Power Supply Report of the Central Electricity Authority, against a total peak demand of 1,23,299 MW in May, only 1,11,862 MW of power was actually available in the country, resulting in a deficit of 11,437 MW. In comparison, the corresponding deficit for April 2011 was 13,434 MW, against a total peak demand of 1,24,333 MW.

In terms of energy availability, against a total requirement of 78,163 million units (MU), 73,165 MU were available, leaving a gap of 4,998 MU for the month. The highest energy shortage, of  2,749 MU, was recorded in the western region, which was followed by the southern region, with a shortfall of 995 MU. The deficits recorded in the northern, eastern and the north-eastern regions were 826 MU, 325 MU and 103 MU, respectively.