Share of private sector in generation capacity inches to 50 per cent

 

Thanks to the growing role of renewable energy, the share of private sector in India’s total power generation capacity is inching towards the 50 per cent mark, latest official statistics suggest.

According to the latest report released on the National Power Portal, the private sector accounted for 48.1 per cent of India’s total power generation installed capacity as of October 31, 2021, which stood at 391,091 mw.

State government utilities had a share of 26.7 per cent followed by Central government agencies that took up the remaining 25.2 per cent.

The high share of the private sector reflects the impetus on renewable energy, which is largely a private sector-dominated activity. As of October 31, 2021, the country’s total installed renewable energy capacity was 103,055 mw. Out of this, private sector had a near-complete share of 96.1 per cent.

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Here are some other highlights gleaned from the statistical report:

 

• Thermal power plants continued to be the mainstay of India’s power generation landscape. As of October 31, 2021, thermal power generation capacity stood at 234,444 mw, representing a dominant 60 per cent of the country’s total. Within thermal power capacity, coal-based capacity had the maximum share of nearly 90 per cent.

 

• Hydropower capacity has seen much movement in recent years. As of October 31, 2021, hydropower plants accounted for just about 12 per cent of the total power generation capacity. It must be mentioned here that “hydropower” considered here stands for plants with installed capacity of 25 mw or more. Those with capacity less than 25 mw (which can be small, mini and micro hydropower plants) are considered as part of renewable energy.

 

• Private sector renewable energy capacity is inching towards the 100-GW mark. As of October 31, 2021, this was 99,020 mw. (For a frame of reference, as of March 31, 2020, this was around 83 GW.)

 

• During the past eighteen months or so (from April 1, 2020 to October 31, 2021), India has seen the addition of around 48 GW of new power generation capacity. Most of this (nearly 31 GW) came from thermal power plants. Renewable energy capacity addition during this period was around 16 GW. Addition to hydropower capacity during this period was insignificant – less than 1 GW.

 

• Of the total renewable energy capacity as of October 31, 2021, which was 103 GW, solar power accounted for the highest share of 46.3 per cent (or 47.7 GW), followed by wind with 38.8 per cent (or 40 GW). The remaining 15 per cent or so was taken up by various other forms like small hydropower, biomass, waste-to-energy, etc.

Note: 1 GW = 1,000 mw