Amid Hydel Generation Slump, AP Girding Up To Ensure Uninterrupted Power Supply
The review covered power generation, hydel availability, thermal station preparedness, coal stocks, and contingency plans: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh government has directed all power utilities to remain fully prepared to ensure uninterrupted and quality power supply despite a sharp fall in hydel generation due to the delayed monsoon and deficient rainfall.
Reviewing the power situation in AP online on Thursday, special chief secretary (Energy) K. Vijayanand underlined that uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers should remain the government's top priority.
He asked APGENCO, APTRANSCO, and power distribution companies to work in close coordination to meet the rising power demand through efficient resource management and timely corrective measures.
The review covered power generation, hydel availability, thermal station preparedness, coal stocks, and contingency plans.
Vijayanand pointed out that hydel generation has dropped drastically from 25–30 million units (MUs) a day during the corresponding period last year to just 5–6 MUs this year because of poor reservoir inflows. He maintained that the Sileru hydel complex currently has around 34 TMC of water, enough to support generation for 90–100 days if managed efficiently. He directed APGENCO to prepare an optimal reservoir management plan.
Expressing concern over poor inflows into Krishna basin reservoirs, the special chief secretary warned that continued El Niño conditions could even rule out hydel generation in the basin this season. He instructed utilities to implement the Central Electricity Authority's guidelines and conserve water by using hydel stations only during peak demand hours.
With hydel output remaining constrained, Vijayanand directed APGENCO to maximise thermal generation, closely monitor Plant Availability Factor and Plant Load Factor, minimise forced outages, complete scheduled overhauls on time, and maintain coal stocks sufficient for at least 10 days.
He stressed on close coordination with the Railways and ports to ensure uninterrupted supplies of coal.
