Agenda for a reformed power sector in India: risk, resource, relay, and restructuring
The Indian power sector is remarkably characterised as one where electricity availability has always lagged behind demand. India still has close to 75 million households (almost 45% of all rural households) with no access to electricity, but the existing system is stumbling in its efforts to even cater to the demand of the population currently connected to the grid. Given this background, the overarching objective of any forthcoming electricity policy must be to provide 24x7 power to all the sectors of the country at adequate price levels, in a cost effective, resource efficient and financially sustainable manner. This policy report attempts to provide an overview of the issues that have resulted in the status quo of the power sector and provides a time-bound suite of recommendations, which can set future developments on the right course.