Country's installed generation capacity reaches 163 GW

With the addition of around 1,303 MW of fresh capacity during July 2010, the installed power generation capacity of the country has increased to 1,63,669.80 MW. The thermal and the hydropower sectors added 1,223 MW and 80 MW, respectively, to the country`s generation portfolio, over the last month. According to a recent report prepared by the Central Electricity Authority, out of the total installed capacity, as of July 31, 2010, the thermal power plants-- powered by coal, gas, naphtha and oil-- account for around 64.54%, while the hydroelectric plants contribute 22.62% and nuclear power plants account for 2.78%. The share of renewable power capacity is 10.03%.

As per the report, the western region of the country has the highest installed capacity, of 50,824.22 MW, followed by the southern region, with a capacity of 45,389.30 MW, and the northern region, with 43,757.62 MW, while the north-eastern region has an installed capacity of 2,302.93 MW, which is the least of any major region of the country, constituting 1.4% of the country`s aggregate. Further, the installed capacity of the eastern region stands at 21,319.61 MW, while that of the island regions has been pegged at 76.12 MW. The grid connected captive generating capacity of the country aggregates to a total of 19,509 MW.