Power supply situation in AP may improve from October

The power supply situation in Andhra Pradesh may improve from October and efforts were on to face the situation effectively till then, officials said.
Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corp (APTRANSCO) Chairman and MD Hiralal Samariya told reporters here today that they succeeded in ensuring that the rabi crop, which has come to an end, did not suffer any damage.
However, the shortfall in supply is likely to continue during May and also subsequent months, and power is being purchased to meet the demand, he said.
The new generation capacity of 800 MW would be available in October and another 800 MW in January-February from Krishnapatnam plant. Also, 600 MW will come from Kakatiya facility, he said.

Samariya said 520 MW would come by October/November and another 520 MW by January 2014 from a private power plant. From NTPC, over 350 MW power is expected.
He said it has been planned to get 4,300 MW and 3,000 MW of this is assured though it will be by the year-end. In addition to these, a new line from western corridor, which can carry a capacity of 2,200 MW, is coming up, but that will be available only by January next year.

"After October, we will be in little better condition. We hope we get good monsoon in June and we will be able to pass through kharif season in a better way."

Even though AP has 16,335 MW of installed capacity, at present around 9,500 MW generation capacity is being made use of due to severe shortage of coal, gas and depletion of water levels in reservoirs.
However, the power demand has grown sharply. The demand was 297 MU (million units) per day in March last year and it has now crossed 310 MU/day.
Power cuts of eight hours' duration in mandal headquarters, two hours in district headquarters, four hours in municipalities and towns are being imposed now.
As rabi season has almost come to an end, efforts will be made to provide relief to domestic consumers first and then other sectors, Samariya said.

Among other measures taken to tide over the power crisis, the Government is making efforts to get about 500 MW from non-conventional energy sources and 1,000 MW of wind power is also expected by March 2014.