Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy today assured the captains of industry that several short-term measures are being taken to mitigate power shortage in the state. Speaking to members of the Confedeation of Indian Industry (CII) who met him at the Secretariate here, he said that the state govenment will help the industries by pooling power from all possible sources. The Centre would also be approached for gas supply to the gas-based power plants in AP and also other power projects in the state would start commercial production soon. He said solar power and wind power projects were also being encouraged in a big way in the state. The Chief Minister also asked CII and other industrial associations and come out with concrete proposals to overcome the situation. He wanted them to work out how much more energy they can produce from captive power plants and what support and incentive they need in this regard. He agreed to consider the proposale of CII to encourage solar poswer for hoardings, other lightings so that 200 to 300 MW could be saved. AP Transco Chairman and Managing Director Hiralal Samariya said the industries are being allowed open access to purchase power. There were no power cuts to the poultry, cold storage now, he said. If the industries were ready to install the controlled meters, AP Transco was ready to supply 60 per cent power on daily basis. UNI
