Utilities in Andhra Pradesh have finalised orders to procure about 1,200 MW more power every month beginning August 2012 up to May 2013.
They have finalised orders for additional procurement of 12,706 MW of power up to May 2013, according to Andhra Pradesh Energy Coordination Cell.
The power will be procured from PTC, NETS, GMR, RETL, JSWPTC, among others.
This purchase is part of the State’s efforts to bridge the demand-supply gap. The power generation from existing power plants has dropped due to inadequate natural gas supply, and hydel generation has dwindled due to poor reservoir levels.
According to a statement, Mrutunjay Sahoo has assumed charge as the Principal Secretary of Energy, Andhra Pradesh from Dinesh Kumar. Sahoo served as Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India, earlier.
The power utilities stated that the focus is on reducing the transmission and distribution losses from 16.7 per cent to below 15 per cent. The Generation Corporation of Andhra Pradesh has planned to add a generation capacity of about 5500 mw during the XII Plan
Gas supply
Natural gas supply to power plants in Andhra Pradesh has been cut by 2 million standard cubic meters a day, leading to a power generation loss of 400 mw capacity.
The Centre has decided to divert gas to Ratnagiri power according to the decision taken by the Empowered Group of Ministers. Andhra Pradesh is receiving low supplies for its gas plants and this cut will be a big blow, according to G. Srinivasa Rao, AP Minister for Infrastructure.