The on-going power cuts in both urban and rural areas will continue despite the reduction of gap in demand-supply position.
This was stated by APTRANSCO Chairman and Managing Director Hiralal Samriya while addressing a press conference here on Thursday. He said that the present power cuts imposed at District (two-hours), Municipal areas/Towns (four hours) and mandal level (eight hours) would be continued as usual. He said the continuance of power cuts was aimed at filling the gap between the demand-supply and fill the deficit.
The demand – supply gap of power that had increased to 60 MU – 70 MU / day (310 MU/day) in March this year has reduced to 50 MU – 52 MU (290 MU/day). This may be because of Rabi season requirement by agricultural sector getting over in the April end.
He said that the demand – supply gap has been constantly increasing for the last five years from 2.3 per cent to 16.7 per cent in the State and the situation is not better in other states either due to shortage of fuel.
Despite many constraints, the State Government have made special efforts to ensure seven hour power supply that resulted in a good Rabi crop. Measures to overcome power crisis has been taken up.
In sync with the government’s solar power policy, bids have been invited to the tune of 1000 MW to increase the percentage of Green Power in the energy basket. 1000 MW of Wind Power is expected by March 2014.
Efforts are also being made to get about 500 MW of power from NCE (Non-Conventional Energy¬) sources like Biomass, Bagasse and Mini-Hydal etc. A 765 KV Line that connects Southern Grid to the National Grid is due for completion soon, which will facilitate AP to purchase more power from North. About 2200 MW of power is expected by March – 2014 from the new power plants (Vijayawada; Kothagudem; Krishnapatnam; and Ramagundam) of APGENCO.
While efforts are being made to increase power generation, steps are also taken up for energy conservation as well. State Energy Conservation Mission (SECM), headed by the Chief Secretary to the government, to champion the noble cause of Conservation of Energy. Principal Secretaries of Agriculture, Industry, Municipal Administration & Rural Water Supply etc. along with organizations like FAPCCI, FICCI, CII have been involved in the mission to create awareness and to educate people about the importance and ways of energy conservation. (INN)