During the year 2008, total availability of energy in the country was 625289 MU, as against 601517 MU during the same period last year, representing a growth of about 4%.During the period 2008, January to November, 2008 total energy exchanges in the country were 16918.90 MU, as against 15837.6 MU during the same period last year, representing a growth of about 6.8%.During the period Jan. 08 to June, 08, total inter-State trading of power in the country was 8255.25 MU, as against 7735.22 MU during the same period last year, representing a growth of about 6.7%.

Capacity Addition

Between  January and November of 2008 projects aggregating to 4611.8 MW were commissioned.  This comprises of 2869.8 MW of thermal capacity, 1967 MW of hydro capacity.

Power Exchange

Two power exchanges have been granted permission to function by CERC, Indian Energy Exchange Limited (IEX) and Power Exchange India Limited (PXI). IEX started its operations on 28.6.08 and PXI on 22.10.08

The volume of power transacted by the two power exchanges upto 5 p.m. of 5.12.08, the maximum and minimum market clearing prices are as given below:

Distribution

Distribution despite being of crucial importance in the entire electricity supply chain, remained neglected area and thus, resulting in huge Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses. Under the APDRP scheme, during the period 2004-2008, Rs 1997.15 crore was released as incentive to the States for loss reduction and Rs. 3301.26 crore was released as Additional Central Assistance (ACA) to states under investment component.

Drastic reduction of losses is the single most essential measure for turning around the power sector and for attracting much needed investments. It appears that mere infusion of investment through APDRP and formal adherence to reform conditionalities  are not sufficient condition for drastic loss reduction. A clear commitment to reduce AT&C losses significantly by the end of 11th Plan from the State Governments, good corporate governance reliable and objectively demonstrable systems of accountability coupled with incentive schemes for staffs are some of the other drivers for improvement.  Re-structured APDRP for XIth Plan has been approved on these lines at a total outlay of Rs.51,577 crore.