India’s electricity shortages ease

India's electricity shortages have eased over the last six weeks as renewables generation has increased seasonally and relieved some of the pressure on coal-fired units short of fuel.

In a sign of reduced stress on the network, frequency averaged 50.00 cycles per second (hertz) in May, exactly in line with the operational target, up from just 49.93 Hz in April.

Frequency fell below the minimum threshold of 49.90 Hz just 9.8 per cent of the time in May compared with 32.0 per cent of the time in April, data from the Power System Operation Corporation of India (POSOCO) showed.

Below-target and falling frequency is a sign that consumption is exceeding generation, causing rotating generators to lose momentum, while above-target and rising frequency signals the opposite.

Grid stability improved even though it supplied a record 136 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) in May up from 133 billion kWh in April and 110 billion kWh in the same month a year earlier.

Seasonal increases from hydropower and wind played a critical role improving generation availability and easing the severe power shortages and blackouts evident in March and April.

Wind farms added an extra 6 billion kWh in May compared with March and April while hydro generators added an extra 1-2 billion kWh.

Renewables supplied 23 per cent of system-wide electricity demand in May up from 18 per cent in March and April. As a result, coal-fired, gas-fired and nuclear generators were called on to supply 3-4 billion kWh fewer in May compared with March and April.