The correct answer is: a) Transmission and distribution losses.
Gujarat’s power sector is facing a number of challenges, including transmission and distribution losses, lack of investment, over-reliance on coal, and insufficient renewable potential. However, transmission and distribution losses are the most pressing issue.
In 2017, Gujarat’s transmission and distribution losses were 22.5%, which is higher than the national average of 19.8%. These losses are due to a number of factors, including outdated infrastructure, theft, and poor management.
Transmission and distribution losses have a number of negative consequences. They increase the cost of electricity for consumers, they reduce the amount of revenue that power companies receive, and they make it more difficult to expand the power grid.
The Gujarat government has taken a number of steps to address the issue of transmission and distribution losses. These include investing in new infrastructure, improving management practices, and cracking down on theft. However, more needs to be done to reduce these losses.
The other options are also challenges faced by Gujarat’s power sector, but they are not as pressing as transmission and distribution losses.
Lack of investment is a challenge because it prevents the power sector from expanding and improving. Over-reliance on coal is a challenge because it makes the power sector vulnerable to fluctuations in the price of coal. Insufficient renewable potential is a challenge because it limits the options available for meeting the state’s growing electricity needs.