Discoms have also been asked to focus on providing adequate power to the extent possible to the industrial sector, the backbone of the State's economy.
In order to meet the ever growing demand for power, Special Chief Secretary (Energy) Shailendra Kumar Joshi has suggested to the A P power utilities to chalk out an action plan to meet the requirements of electricity consumers of all categories in the ensuing Kharif season.
While appreciating the sustained efforts of engineers and employees of the power utilities in providing satisfactory power supply to the consumers to the maximum extent possible, Joshi, in a teleconference with top officials of the power sector on Saturday, emphasized the need to maintain the same tempo even in future to protect the interests of the consumers.
He specifically lauded the officials for making all-out efforts to maintain 7-hour power supply in 2 spells and ensuring that not even a single acre of crop anywhere in the state suffered in the Rabi season.
The demand recorded all time high of 320 MU during April this year, which was an increase of 12% compared to last year, he said. Yet, AP's discoms were able to supply more power to the industrial sector this year in spite of the severe constraints, compared to the last year when there were 3 power holidays per week.
Due to a change in the weather conditions, the demand for power has eased to around 225 MU per day currently, which may increase at any time.
As the Rabi season is over and the power demand is gradually decreasing, Joshi suggested to the discoms to focus fully on providing adequate power to the extent possible to the industrial sector, which is the back bone of the economy of the State.
Joshi directed the power utilities to give utmost priority to encouraging the use of renewable energy in general, and solar & wind power in particular, by initiating special measures, and to expedite the ongoing projects.
AP Transco CMD Suresh Chanda thanked all the consumers for their support during the Rabi season in which the discoms were forced to impose power restrictions due to an unprecedented fuel crisis and rise in demand.
In view of the gale & wind expected now, especially in the coastal areas, the CMD insisted that the field officers take up all the precautionary measures, and stressed upon the need to reinforce pre-monsoon maintenance including ensuring proper earthing in sub-stations & near distribution transformers, trimming of tree branches near the power lines, restringing of loose lines, erection of intermediate poles, providing stay wires wherever required, providing stud poles for support and replacement of damaged poles. (INN)