Blistering summer has resulted in a lot of action on power front.

The primary concern is that of shortages and blackouts but there is some good news also. According to data available from Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE), growth rate in electricity generated was 3.7 per cent in February 2002, which has gone up to 5.2 per cent in April 2002. But surprise is that a major contributor to growth has been hydropower sector, which has stolen thunder in last couple of months with a growth rate in excess of 25 per cent.

Hydro power generation has been passing through a very lean period in last couple of years. Before February, the sector recorded negative growth in 17 out of the 24 previous months which included an unbroken period of 12 months of negative growth during June 00 to May 01. In January 02, however, production of hydro electricity was 5.28 bn kWh, which translated into a rise of 8.7 per cent year on year. In February, growth once again turned negative but after that there has been a massive spurt with growth rates in March and April 2002 being 31 per cent and 27 per cent respectively.

Electricity generated during these two months in this sector was 6.4 and 5.6 bn kwh respectively. Analysts say monsoon months are the best period for hydro power generation. However, a major contributor to the very high growth figures is also the fact that base year figures are extremely low.

Growth is, however, welcome at current stage and nobody is complaining as every bit of extra power generated makes life a little easier in the face current shortage in the country.