APTransco mulls open access power to industries

Pattern of electricity consumption in industrial sector in AP has increased to 34.93% in 2012-13, as against 14.99% during 2001-02

Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APTransco) is contemplating allowing open access power purchases (1 Mw and above) by industries from third parties to meet their energy needs.

It is planning to soon hold a high-level meet with the Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry,   Confederation of the Indian Industry and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry to take their suggestions.

“Utmost priority will be given to the power infrastructure development of the industrial sector to ensure adequate power supply to the industry to the extent possible,” Suresh Chanda, chairman and managing director of APTransco, said in release.

In spite of several constraints due to fuel shortage like coal and natural gas besides transmission constraints, the state power utilities are very keen to provide adequate power supply to encourage the industry for economic development of the state and in order to provide large-scale employment generation, he added.

After taking the approval from the state Electricity Regulatory Commission (Aperc), APTransco had already introduced an expensive power scheme (EPSS) from February 2013 to June 2013, to safeguard the interest of the industry. Around 400 industrial consumers purchased power under this scheme.

APTransco officials said the pattern of electricity consumption in the industrial sector in the state had increased to 34.93 per cent in 2012-13, as against 14.99 per cent during 2001-02.