The government will focus on efficiency in usage of power, and purchasing power from neighbouring states.
In view of the unprecedented demand for power and to meet the requirements of the electricity consumers, the Andhra Pradesh government has decided to adopt a multi-pronged strategy to ensure adequate and quality power supply to the consumers of all categories by putting in place Energy Efficiency & Energy Conservation (EE&EC) measures, apart from expediting the construction of ongoing projects and reduction of Transmission & Distribution losses.
As part of this strategy, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who will hold high level meets exclusively on energy efficiency shortly, is expected to give a road map to the SECM and other key departments, on energy efficiency and energy savings measures which will help in savings of around at least 15-20% of energy in future.
The AP CM has also directed that a mechanism should be developed to involve all the key departments including Industries, MA&UD, Agriculture and RWS, to fix the accountability in achieving the desired energy saving goals.
Disclosing the above details, Chief Secretary and SECM Chairman I Y R Krishna Rao, who briefed the CM about the initiatives being taken up by SECM, said that a comprehensive proposal had been submitted to the SECM by Energy Efficient Services Limited (EESL) to upgrade the public lighting infrastructure with LEDs in the entire State on a revenue-sharing basis.
Since energy efficiency was a driving force for economic development, the CM was keen to adopt a comprehensive communication strategy in mission mode, and involving all Self Help Groups (SHGs) to make the energy efficiency & conservation programs successful, the Chief Secretary said.
Energy Efficiency Improvement Plans
In the present global warming scenario, protection of water, energy and environment were essential to protect the interests of the public in the long run, the CS said. To achieve this, among others, by using star-rated electrical appliances, consumers could conserve a minimum of 20% energy and reduce their power bills considerably, apart from helping the nation by way of saving of natural resources like coal and gas, and protecting the environment. That's why instructions were going to be issued to all the government departments to adopt department-wise Energy Efficiency Improvement Plans.
Procurement of Additional Power
The CS, along with G Sai Prasad, Secretary to CM; Ajay Jain, Secretary, Energy (FAC); and Vijayanand, MD/APGENCO & APTRANSCO, informed the CM about the power supply position and procurement of additional power. They informed that the utilities could supply 125 MU as against the demand of 148 MU, with a deficit of 23 MU.
The CS said that the CM had directed procurement of additional power from various sources to meet the requirements of the public. The officials informed the CM that in the united State, orders had been placed to purchase power to an extent of 1750 MW from private generating stations. Of that, AP was getting 800 MW.
In addition to that, the AP government is now making efforts to procure power from the neighbouring states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for July, 2014. Orders have already been placed for 300 MW (100 MW from Karnataka, 200 MW from Tamilnadu), of which 100 MW from Karnataka will be flowing from 1st July. For the balance 200 MW, efforts are being made at highest level to get consent from Tamil Nadu for flow of power.
Also, upon the persuasion of the Chief Minister, the Central Generating Stations (CGS) will be giving an additional 65 MW as per the corrected ratio of the CGS share between the 2 States, the CS said. (INN)