Power Grid in India - This is a picture of a power grid in India. The power sector has registered significant progress since the process of planned development of the economy began in 1950. This sector has grown at an average rate of 5.2 per cent since 2004-05. Hydro -power and coal based thermal power have been the main sources of generating electricity. Nuclear power development is at slower pace, which was introduced, in late sixties. The concept of operating power systems on a regional basis crossing the political boundaries of states was introduced in the early sixties. In spite of the overall development that has taken place, the power supply industry has been under constant pressure to bridge the gap between supply and demand. The total installed capacity at the beginning of 9th Plan i.e. 1.4.97 was 85,795 MW comprising 21,658 MW Hydro, 61,012 MW Thermal including gas and diesel, 2,225 MW Nuclear and 900 MW Wind based power plants. The actual power supply position at the beginning of the 9th Plan indicates peak shortage of 11,477 MW (18%) and energy shortage of 47,590 MU (11.5%) on All India basis. To meet the growing demand and shortages encountered, sufficient capacity would need to be added in subsequent plan periods.