DEEP CRISIS: India suffered the worst blackouts in history this week, which left over 600 million people without power. The crisis is evidence of deep problems in a sector teetering on the edge of bankruptcy for the second time in a decade.

POWER THIEVES: As much as 40 percent of the power generated in India is not paid for. The bulk of it is stolen.

BAILOUT WEIGHED: Decades of populist pricing and inefficiency have pushed losses at state utilities to an estimated $10 billion in the year that ended in March. The government is now contemplating a $21.7 billion bailout for state utilities.