Frequent Power Cuts in AP Add to Farmers, Households’ Woes
An official said there is no major power shortage during the daytime due to solar generation. However, restrictions are being imposed on feeders on a rotational basis during nights.
KURNOOL: Frequent and unscheduled power cuts amid temperatures soaring across Andhra Pradesh are adding to the woes of farmers and domestic consumers, particularly in the Rayalaseema region.
Farmers in several parts of Kurnool, Nandyal, and Kadapa districts have been complaining of prolonged power interruptions, while similar problems are being reported from Guntur, Nellore, and Prakasam districts.
Night-time power cuts have left households struggling to cope with the heat. Consumers allege that their calls to substations often go unanswered.
On Thursday, hundreds of farmers and consumers gheraoed the Panyam substation in Nandyal district, asserting they would not budge unless officials gave them a clear assurance. “We have grown only limited crops under borewells and need electricity to irrigate them. But now, the power supply has become uncertain. How can we save our crops under these conditions,” farmers ask.
A week ago, residents of Mydukur in YSR Kadapa district staged a protest outside a substation over frequent outages, with a single outage often lasting two to three hours. Consumers say officials are unable to give a satisfactory explanation. However, electricity authorities at some places are attributing interruptions to maintenance works. Consumers said.
S. Subhan Basha, a trader from Kadapa town, said power cuts during peak business hours are affecting commercial activity. “They are switching off the power around 7 p.m. At times, it does not return until 9 p.m. Our business comes to a standstill,” said several traders.
Anantapur SPDCL superintendent engineer R. Seshadri Sekhar maintains that there is no major shortage during the daytime due to solar generation. However, restrictions are being imposed on feeders on a rotational basis during nights. “Farmers are being supplied at least seven hours of power during the day,” he maintained.
The superintendent engineer underlined that the situation is expected to improve once about 1,300 MW of power from Hinduja and Krishnapatnam projects becomes available.
“Demand has increased because of the rise in temperatures. Once the additional power becomes available, the restrictions will come down,” Seshadri Sekhar pointed out.
Officials went on to point out that power generation from Srisailam reservoir is currently unavailable. Repairs to the power grid supplying electricity from Krishnapatnam are also contributing to difficulties.
Domestic consumption has risen sharply because of the heat. B. Nagesh, a line inspector of SPDCL in Kadapa, said the increased use of air conditioners and coolers is putting heavy loads on feeders, particularly around 9 p.m. “This is sometimes resulting in feeders tripping,” he stated.
Daily Power Consumption in Some Erstwhile Districts
District Daily Power Consumption (Million Units)
Anantapur. 23
Kurnool 21
Kadapa 22
Nellore 21
Prakasam
