Andhra revises power procurement master plan

Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy has directed the Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APTransco) that there should not be any power cut to any category and that seven hours of power supply without any interruption should be ensured to farmers.

"Power should be procured at any cost to meet the shortfall, and the power procurement master plan for 2007-08 has been revised accordingly, taking into account the future demand," he said at a review meeting on the power requirements and power generation for the year 2007-08.

After considering the capacity additions, the power deficit for the current fiscal is estimated to be 4,471MU.

While the demand is 62,772MU, the availability is 58,301MU. It is contemplated to meet the deficit by placing orders for 1,82,90MU with traders, 1,962.50MU with IPPs, and an overdrawal of 687.40MU from the grid, at a total cost of Rs 2,832 crore.

The chief minister agreed to positively consider meeting the additional financial requirements of APTranco. This is in addition to the regular subsidy of Rs 1,040 crore per year the state government provides to the corporation, according to a press release.