India's Aug power output grew lowest since Feb 2009

India's power output grew an annual 1 percent in August, the slowest growth since February 2009 as some plants were shut, but peak power deficit narrowed as heavy rainfall curbed demand.

Generation by thermal plants, fired by coal, gas and liquid fuel, grew a paltry 0.6 percent, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) said in a report posted on its website on Tuesday.

Thermal power, which generate about two-thirds of the country electricity, were hit by coal shortages, unplanned and extended maintenance shutdown at some plants, and low demand from states getting power from gas-fired plants.

Coal-based power generation grew by 2.79 percent in August from a year ago, slowed down by a 12 percent shortfall in supplies, it said.

Twelve power producers had coal stocks sufficient for less than four days' generation, the data showed.

India's peak power deficit, the shortfall between supply and demand in peak hours, in August to narrow to 10.7 percent compared with the actual 12.5 percent in July.

Energy deficit, shortages of fuel for power stations, is seen improving to 7.5 percent in August from the actual 8.5 precent recorded in July.

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