The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, has directed power utilities to take all possible steps to meet the huge energy demand in the rabi crop season and during the summer months ahead.
According to a statement, the Chief Minister directed AP Transco and Discoms to facilitate open access to industries willing to use this option. Under this, they would be able to buy power from other sources.
Reviewing the power supply situation, the Chief Minister said while ensuring supply to all segments of consumers, top priority should be given for seven hours power supply to agriculture sector.
The power supply position was satisfactory with the demand at 250 million units (MUs) a day. AP Discoms are able to meet around 243 MUs a day with a gap of 3 per cent, around 7 MUs a day. This is compared with a gap of around 48 MUs (20 per cent) in Tamil Nadu and 18 MUs (10 per cent) in Karnataka.
The procurement process for additional power of 1,100 MW (26 MUs) during February to May 2012 and also securing 231 MW from NTPC Jhajjar power station, Haryana till May 2012, is being pursued.
With drop in power generation from gas-based plants, the Chief Minister plans to take up the issue again with the Centre for additional supply of gas. The production is only at 52 per cent of due to reduction of gas supply by RIL.
The Government was keen that NTPC commenced its commercial operations from 500 MW Unit-II of Simhadri. This would add to supplies during the crucial rabi season.