AP is set to become self-sufficient in power, with the commissioning of power projects in the State.
Chief Minister K Rosaiah has asked AP Transco to further improve reliable and quality power supply to all categories of consumers and avoid any power interruptions and trippings, now that the generation, particularly hydel power generation, has vastly improved.
Following this, AP Transco has decided to finalise a micro-level action plan for improving the quality of power supply.
As part of the action plan, AP Transco has taken up 21 numbers of 220 kv and 10 of 132 kv substations with a total cost of Rs. 1,155 crores for various lift irrigation schemes being executed by the Irrigation Department.
The Chief Minister had a meeting in this regard with Chief Secretary S V Prasad; Principal Secretary, Energy, Suthirtha Bhattacharya; CMD, AP Transco, Ajay Jain; and other officials. Rosaiah said that with the improvement in hydel power generation due to good monsoon and copious rains, a 7-hour power supply to agricultural pumpsets should be ensured at any cost.
The Chief Minister further directed CMDs of AP Transco and Discoms to submit fortnightly reports on the situation of power supply to the agricultural sector. He said since sowing has increased and the State is set for record agricultural production, farmers should be provided quality power for 7 hours a day.
The Malkaram 400/220kv substation constructed by AP Transco already started functioning. This substation, which was constructed with a total cost of Rs. 94 crore, is part of the Hyderabad Ring Main Transmission Scheme, which was taken up to provide reliable and quality power supply to Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy Districts, with a total investment of Rs. 437 crore.
AP Transco owns 10 400 kv substations, 97 220 kv substations and 286 132 kv substations. It also owns 31,172 CKM of transmission line.
The transmission system availability during the year 2009-10 was 99.89%, which is the highest in the country. During the next 4 years, i.e., by 2014, it is proposed to add another five 400 kv substations, 34 220 kv substations and 107 132 kv substations, with a total investment of Rs. 5,460 crore.
During 2010-11 itself, 2 400 kv substations, 10 220 kv substations and 34 132kv substations will be added. Most of these substations for Lift Irrigation schemes have been completed, and the remaining will be commissioned as per schedule.
The Malkaram substation is the first fully-automated substation in the State, wherein the entire substation can be remote-controlled. The commissioning of the substation will provide supply to the areas of Moulali, Medchal and Shapurnagar.
It is part of the Hyderabad Ring Main Transmission Scheme, which consists of 5 numbers of 400 kv substations of Gajwel, Mamidipally, Ghanapur, Malkaram and Eddumailaram with a total transmission length of 450 CKM.
The present load of Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy Districts is about 2,500 MW, and is expected to increase to 5,000 MW by 2015. With the completion of the Ring Main Transmission Scheme by 2013, AP Transco will be able to meet this load of 5,000 MW by 2013.
By then, AP Transco will supply uninterrupted quality power to all types of consumers, both domestic and commercial, in the twin cities, now the GHMC area.
As part of the strengthening and modernisation of the transmission system in the twin cities, 3 220 kv, five 132 kv GIS and 2 conventional substations are being constructed under JICA and PFC funds, to the tune of Rs. 1,600 crore.
Associated EHT cable lines for a length of 150 RKM of 220kV and 132 kv cables are being laid. AP Transco plans to establish separate feeders for domestic and agriculture power connections in one Mandal each in 22 districts on an experimental basis, at a cost of Rs. 66 crore, so that the availability of 3-phase connections will enable quality power supply and attract more industries to the rural areas.
Following directions from the Chief Minister, AP Transco plans to provide power connections to 52,000 schools that don't have power supply, on a priority basis. It may be stated here that with the completion and commissioning of the contemplated AP Genco Power Projects, both thermal and hydro projects, as well as with the commissioning of other private power projects in the State, Andhra Pradesh will become self-sufficient in power.
AP Transco is the only power utility in the country to provide free power to all eligible farmers. It has been doing do since the Congress Government came to power in 2004. AP Transco also offers quality power at the lowest tariff to all new industries to attract investments.
Courtesy: INN