OREANDA-NEWS. The Central Government is taking the following steps to overcome the shortcomings in supply of power.

Generation capacity addition of 88,537 MW is targeted for the 12th Plan from conventional sources. As against this, 48,026 MW has already been achieved.

Transmission lines of 1,07,440 ckm and 2,82,740 MVA transformation capacity have been targeted for the 12th Plan. As against this, 45,570 ckm of transmission lines and 1,56,354 MVA of transformation capacity has been achieved.

Two new schemes have been approved by the Government, namely Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojna and Integrated Power Development Scheme for strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks and for segregation of agricultural feeders.

Government of India has taken initiative to prepare Action Plans for providing 24x7 Power For All (PFA) in partnership with the States.

Renovation & Modernization (R&M) of old power plants is planned by the concerned State and Central Power Utilities for improving the Plant Load Factor of power stations.

The gap in coal availability is planned to be met through enhanced coal production and coal imports for increased generation by thermal plants.

Promotion of energy conservation, energy efficiency and demand side management measures.

In order to support financial viability of State Distribution Utilities (Discoms), the Central Government had notified a Financial Restructuring Plan (FRP). (ix) Expeditious resolution of issues relating to environmental and forest clearances.

The availability of power both in terms of energy and peak in the country during the current year 2014-15 (up to October, 2014) is 617.7 BU and 1,41,160 MW respectively. This was stated by Sh. Piyush Goyal, Minister of state for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today.

The Minister further stated that the assessment of anticipated shortage of power in the current year 2014-15 has been done and as per the assessment, the anticipated shortage of power in terms of energy and peak during the year would be 5.1% and 2.0% respectively.

The Minister further stated that the Assessment of anticipated shortage is done on annual basis.