The document discusses the power generation and supply industry in India. It covers three key points:
1. The industry has experienced steady growth since 2008 at an average annual rate of 3.96%. Thermal power has grown the most while hydro and nuclear have grown at lower rates.
2. The industry exhibits characteristics of a natural monopoly due to large economies of scale, high fixed costs, and significant barriers to entry. The major players are large state-owned and private companies.
3. For a natural monopoly, average costs decline as output increases. However, without regulation pricing above marginal cost could lead to inefficiencies. The document discusses the need for government tariff regulation in India's power industry.