Andhra Pradesh Government plans to take up with the Centre the issue of according equal priority to gas based fertiliser and power plants.
After assuming charge as the Chairman and Managing Director of AP Transco, Suresh Chanda, said there is a need to build up a strong case on this important issue with the Government ahead of the meeting of the Empowered Group of Ministers to be held at New Delhi on July 10.
This meeting is for allocation of natural gas to power projects. The State will seek to emphasise the importance of according similar priority for gas plants on par with the fertiliser units
The new chief set up a new agenda to tackle the demand supply situation. He wanted strict adherence to grid discipline, reduction of T&D losses from the existing 17.4 per cent, providing better consumer service through IT initiatives, effective utilisation of financial resources and completion of all projects in a time bound manner.
To bridge the demand-supply gap, apart from increasing the capacity, AP power utilities will seek to expedite the ongoing transmission and distribution (T&D) projects.
In addition, under the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP), power utilities will lay focus on extending quality power supply to consumers with more accountability and quick redressal of consumer grievances.
This will be done by strengthening the existing sub-division wise consumer care centres with the support of IT initiatives.
He explained that the agriculture, industrial, infrastructure and overall economic development of the State are linked with the sustained development of power sector. Hence, the prime responsibility of the power utilities is to expand the network and extend quality power supply to the consumers.