Demand for power, energy use to double in four years

The survey’s projections are based on the assumption that the economy will grow at 8-10 per cent over the next five years. The consumption and demand have been calculated assuming the government is able to meet its objectives and deliver power to all by 2011-12.

The 17th survey, which was started in 2003 and will be released by the Central Electricity Authority soon, shows a rather interesting projection: the increase in demand is seen to be much more in the northern region than the western, which comprises industrial hubs like Gujarat and Maharashtra.

The eastern region with poorer states like Orissa and Bihar would continue to lag behind the rest of the country, with maximum annual energy consumption and peak load in 2011-12 still not reaching the 2003-04 levels seen in other regions.

A closer look at the figures also shows this: as compared to only eight states which showed a compounded annual growth rate of 7-10 per cent in energy requirement during 1998 to 2003-04, there would be 16 between 2004 to 2011-12. Twelve states will show a double-digit growth rate, against four between 1998-2004.

The survey weighs projections of increase in power demand in all sectors — domestic, commercial, public lighting, public water works, irrigation, industrial, railways and bulk non-industrial. It is, therefore, used as the main reference by banks, financial institutions and investors while deciding on funding projects.