New Delhi: At a time when many parts of the country are grappling with acute electricity shortage, power minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Wednesday expressed confidence that the situation will improve within 15 days.
Sweltering heat, mostly in the northern parts of the country, and deficient monsoon so far are resulting in severe power problems especially against the backdrop of rising demand.
"It is true that electricity is less in the country. This is summer season. Delhi and other big cities are affected... I am sure that in coming 15 days, the situation will be much better," Shinde said.
Union minister of state for power K.C. Venugopal echoed similar views, saying that situation was expected to improve.
"The power situation is not so bad in the country and the situation is expected to improve in the coming weeks," he said.
As per latest official data, the country saw a power deficit—shortfall in meeting the demand—of 13,653MW on Tuesday. The total power requirement stood at about 1,29,017MW, of which only 1,15,364 MW was met.
When asked whether weak monsoon has affected hydro power generation in the country, Shinde said: "I don't think we are facing any acute problems. Still, there are some problems at some places."
However, he did not elaborate.
Presently, hydro power accounts for over 22 per cent of country's total installed capacity of more than 2,00,000MW.
"The power demand met till 8pm yesterday was 1,15364 MW, a deficit of 13,653MW," according to the National Load Despatch Center—the apex body to ensure integrated operation of the national power system.
Going by official data, as many as 29 thermal power stations had less than seven days of stock on the first day of July, reflecting the severe coal shortages in the country.
Sweltering heat, mostly in the northern parts of the country, and deficient monsoon so far are resulting in severe power problems especially against the backdrop of rising demand.
"It is true that electricity is less in the country. This is summer season. Delhi and other big cities are affected... I am sure that in coming 15 days, the situation will be much better," Shinde said.
Union minister of state for power K.C. Venugopal echoed similar views, saying that situation was expected to improve.
"The power situation is not so bad in the country and the situation is expected to improve in the coming weeks," he said.
As per latest official data, the country saw a power deficit—shortfall in meeting the demand—of 13,653MW on Tuesday. The total power requirement stood at about 1,29,017MW, of which only 1,15,364 MW was met.
When asked whether weak monsoon has affected hydro power generation in the country, Shinde said: "I don't think we are facing any acute problems. Still, there are some problems at some places."
However, he did not elaborate.
Presently, hydro power accounts for over 22 per cent of country's total installed capacity of more than 2,00,000MW.
"The power demand met till 8pm yesterday was 1,15364 MW, a deficit of 13,653MW," according to the National Load Despatch Center—the apex body to ensure integrated operation of the national power system.
Going by official data, as many as 29 thermal power stations had less than seven days of stock on the first day of July, reflecting the severe coal shortages in the country.
