Review meeting held on the latest power situation in AP

Hyderabad|India|October'2009: The Chief Minister K Rosaiah held a detailed review meeting on the latest power situation in the State, particularly after the recent flash floods. The AP Genco officials explained to the Chief Minister that Vijayawada Thermal Power Station (VTPS) is safe. He was informed that the Nagarjuna Sagar Main Power House—965 MW is also safe and generating power.

The officials told the Chief Minister that the Jurala Hydro-power Project---117 MW—is also Safe & running. The Chief Minister appreciated the efforts of AP Genco in working relentlessly to keep this power generations safe and running so that there were no large scale power crisis in the State.

He was explained that the Srisailam Right Bank Power House is submerged and takes time to be restored. The Srisailam Left Bank Power House of 900 MW generation will resume only when Reservoir Level reaches 885 and Nagarjuna Sagar backwater effects stop. It may take 5 days to one week to resume generation of power here, the officials estimate.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the AP Genco M.D., Mr.Vijayanandfor the timely and quick action and appreciated its effort in closing the tunnels by cement concrete which saved the Left Bank Power House from the gushing flood waters. The Chief Minister also asked the AP Transco to restore power in places where it is still cut off by working on a war footing. He said teams from neighbouring districts may be deputed to Kurnool, Nandyal etc. to restore power supply wherever it is still remain cut off.

The Chief Minister was explained that the Srisailam Right Bank Power House work will start operations once the flood flow recedes. Action Plan for restoration works is finalised. It is now programmed to bail out water from the Powerhouse by 20-10-2009. Discussions are held with BHEL on 5-10-2009 for taking up the revamping works. Orders for the works have already been placed with BHEL. Engineers from BHEL will inspect the powerhouse after the dewatering is completed and assess the extent of damage of the equipment in the powerhouse and give a detailed programme of restoration works. It is expected to restore the powerhouse by the end of January, 2010. 1500 HP Capacity pumps from Singareni, Neyveli Lignite Corporation etc. already started moving to Srisailam. We may require to flush out 2 lakh cu.m of water.

Minister Geetha Reddy, Special Chief Secretary, Energy, A K Goel, MD, AP Genco, K Vijayanand, MD, AP Transco, Suthirtha Bhattacharya and other officials attended the meeting.

Meanwhile it is reported that extensive damage is caused to electrical installations and equipment of AP Transco and Discoms in the districts of Kurnool and Mahboobnagar. Supply was restored to 132 kv level at Nandyal substation, 132 kv Allagadda and 132 kv Banaganapally substations. Supply restored to 132 kv Chinamaroor substation on 4-10-2009 and restoration to 132 kv Gadwal substation likely to be completed by 11.00 am on 6th Oct.

Mr.A.K.Goel and Mr.Sutirtha Bhattacharya informed the Chief Minister that the Power supply was restored to 63 numbers of 33 kv substations in Kurnool and Mahboobnagar. Alternate power supply arranged to 9 substations in Kurnool and Mahbubnagar districts. In all 98 special teams arranged for restoration works. 11 numbers of 33 kv feeders are affected and 4 are rectified. 312 numbers of 11 kv feeders are affected and 109 are rectified. Out of 2231 numbers of distribution transformers affected, 118 are rectified. Supply also restored to two towns, 32 villages and 49,012 services. The situation is under constant watch and the Chief Minister was told that 24x7 control room is functioning at TRANSO & DISCOM Headquarters and C.E./SE. offices in affected areas.

Meanwhile the Government of India, Ministry of Power has been requested to allocate 700 MW of power from unallocated share. The tentative primary estimate of loss of AP Genco, EHT Substation, EHT Lines & Distribution System is around Rs. 236.79 crores. The Chief Minister asked the Transco officials to work on a mission-mode to rectify the damaged and restore power in the shortest time possible.