AP lines up Rs 276 cr for high-voltage distribution systems

The Andhra Pradesh government will be spending Rs 276.31 crore for implementing high-voltage distribution systems (HVDs) in seven districts of the state over the next three years.

This would result in a saving of Rs 76.72 crore a year in the form of reduction in energy loss (Rs 12.54 crore), reduction in theft of energy (Rs 18.13 crore), reduction in peak power loss (Rs 45.47 crore) and reduction in transformer failure (Rs 58 lakh).

In a press release on Wednesday, Ajay Jain, secretary (energy), Andhra Pradesh government, said there was no compromise on the seven-hour power supply to the agriculture sector.

He instructed the officials to take up all possible steps to replace failed distribution transformers (DTRs) within the stipulated time, ie 24 hours in rural areas.

"Equal priority will be given to both the industry and the agricultural sector. A special programme is being contemplated to involve all the 1.45 million agricultural consumers in achieving the target of the government in energy efficiency in the sector where around 35 per cent of the power can be saved through short-term and long-term demand side management (DSM) measures)," he said.

Field officials should maintain sufficient rolling stock (four per cent) for timely replacement of failed DTRs and conduct the substation level meetings duly involving the farmers and local public representatives for getting feedback on power supply position during the rabi season, he added.