India’s blackout and the challenges of providing power to a growing nation

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Indian children play near high-voltage electric towers at a slum in Mumbai, India on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012 photo. India suffered the worst blackouts in history this week, which left over 600 million people without power. The lights are back on, for now, but the crisis is evidence of deep problems in a sector teetering on the edge of bankruptcy for the second time in a decade.
Indian children play near high-voltage electric towers at a slum in Mumbai, India on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012 photo. India suffered the worst blackouts in history this week, which left over 600 million people without power. The lights are back on, for now, but the crisis is evidence of deep problems in a sector teetering on the edge of bankruptcy for the second time in a decade. AP/Rajanish Kakade
Indian children play near high-voltage electric towers at a slum in Mumbai, India on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012 photo. India suffered the worst blackouts in history this week, which left over 600 million people without power. The lights are back on, for now, but the crisis is evidence of deep problems in a sector teetering on the edge of bankruptcy for the second time in a decade.
Indian children play near high-voltage electric towers at a slum in Mumbai, India on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012 photo. India suffered the worst blackouts in history this week, which left over 600 million people without power. The lights are back on, for now, but the crisis is evidence of deep problems in a sector teetering on the edge of bankruptcy for the second time in a decade. AP/Rajanish Kakade

India’s blackout and the challenges of providing power to a growing nation

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Last week India experienced the world’s largest blackout. Some 600 million people were left without electrical power when three grids collapsed. The blackout paralyzed transport across the country and brought business to a halt. 

India’s demand for electricity has soared in recent years as its economy has grown but its power infrastructure hasn’t been able to meet the growing need.

Arshad Mansoor is Senior Vice President of the Research and Development Group for the Electric Power Research Institute. He joins Worldview to discuss the political and economic challenges of providing power to the world’s rapidly expanding, and energy-hungry, population.