Power utilities in Andhra Pradesh have proposed an expensive power purchase charge (EPPC) scheme for industrial consumers. This is under consideration of the State Energy Regulatory Commission.
The scheme, which is more advantageous to the industrial sector, would be applicable only during January-May. The expensive power charges will be applicable for those industries who opt to draw power over and above the power restrictions imposed by the distribution companies and that too during the above said months.
By implementing this scheme, the productivity level and economic activity will be maintained constantly and loss of employment can also be avoided, according to Mr A. Chandrasekhara Reddy, Member Secretary, Energy Co-ordination Cell, State Energy Department. In the last eight months around Rs 1,950 crore have been spent by power utilities in Andhra Pradesh to purchase expensive power from outside to provide supply to consumers.
To ensure adequate power supply, the Government . is undertaking all measures to increase energy availability in the State, he said on the occasion of the 8{+t}{+h} annual national energy conservation week.
Mr Dinesh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Energy said small group of officers have been formed to study the impact of recommendations made by the ECC for taking necessary action. The Energy Conservation Committee appealed to the public on behalf of power utilities to take up energy conservation in a mission mode and make it a grand success for the benefit of self and State, he added.
In his address, Mr Chandan Mitra, Managing Director of New and Renewable Energy Corporation, emphasised the need for energy conservation and requested to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and explained various activities taken up by it.