Hyderabad|India|March'2010: The Chief Minister directed the APGENCO try to put all its projects on fast track and commission all the proposed projects ahead of schedule due to the spurt in demand for power from various sectors in the State. The Chief Minister made it clear that the State Government wanted APGENCO to be the leader in power generation in the State and is determined to strengthen it by providing all support.

Keeping in view the unprecedented increase in the demand for energy in domestic, commercial, industrial and in particular Agricultural sector in the State, the Chief Minister strictly directed the APGENCO to put sustained efforts to complete all the proposed power projects--both thermal, gas-based and hydel units and complete them well before schedule if possible.

Before leaving Hyderabad to attend Seetharamakalyanotsavam at Bhadrachalam, the Chief Minister today held a tele-conference with Principal Secretary (Energy), Suthirtha Bhattacharya and MD, AP Genco, K Vijayanand.

APGENCO is the largest power generating company of AP State with an installed capacity of 7587.9 MW comprising 3882.5 MW (51.2%) Thermal, 3703.36 MW (48.8%) Hydel and 2 MW (0.03%) of Wind power.

In the meanwhile the Chief Minister will hold a video conference on various issues of power sector at Secretariat tomorrow (25-3-2010).

Mr .K.Vijayanand explained to the Chief Minister that as there is an unprecedented growth for power in Andhra Pradesh, with the support of government, APGENCO has taken up massive capacity addition programme of 16,865 MW during next 5 years consisting of 11 Thermal, 5 Hydel, 2 Gas and 1 Nuclear power projects. Out of 16,865 MW capacity programmed, 1037 MW has been added so far. 10 Projects of 3,946 MW are under construction whereas 7 projects of 11,882 MW are under development and planning stage.The Chief Minister assured that land, water and other infrastructure facilities will be provided on top priority to the APGENCO projects.

Mr Vijayanad explained to the Chief Minister that Kothagudem TPS of 500MW, RTPP of 210 MW and Bhupalapalli (Kakatiya) TPP of 500 MW totalling 1210 MW will be ready by the year-end.

The Chief Minister has also suggested the Prl.Secretary (Energy) Mr.Suthirtha Bhattacharya to prepare time-bound programme for the commissioning of various projects with clear milestones. The Kakatiya Thermal Power Project (TPP) Stage-I (500 MW) is programmed to be commissioned by synchronising with AP Grid by the end of this month. However the commercial operations will be by the end of June. Rayalaseema TPP Unit-5 (210 MW) is scheduled to be commissioned by 31-08-2010. Kothagudem TPP Sage-VI (500 MW) is to be commissioned by October, 2010.

It may be stated here that the Sreesailam Left Bank Power Project (900 MW) and Right Bank (770 MW) which were badly affected by the unprecedented floods are now working in full capacity from January this year. The VTPS-IV stage is also generating 503 MW is working in full swing from 28th of January this year.

Mr.Bhattacharya informed Dr. Rosaiah that Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Supercritical TPP at Krishnapatnam (2x800 MW) is in all probability will be commissioned by June and December 2012 respectively. Kakatiya TPP Stage-II (600 MW) is scheduled to be commissioned by October, 2012, Priyadarshini Jurala Hydro Electric Power Projects (6x39 MW) are programmed to be commissioned by November, 2010 and Nagarjunasagar Tailpond Dam PH (2x25 MW) is likely to be commissioned by March 2011 and June, 2011 respectively. Pulichintala Hydro-Electric Scheme (HES) (4x30 MW) first unit is programmed to be commissioned by March, 2011 and balance 3 units three months later.

Kinnerasani water problem has been resolved. Hence now all the 10 units of Kothagudem TPP are in full swing.

The Lower Jurala HEP (6x40 MW) first unit is programmed for commissioning by May 2011 and balance 5 units four months later. Other APGENCO Projects in the pipeline are Rayalaseema TPP Stage-IV (Unit-6), Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle Plant at Dr.Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station, Karimnagar Combined Cycle Gas-based Project, Sattupalli TPS, Vaderevu Ultra Mega Power Project, Kadapa Nuclear Power Plant and Srikakulam TPS. All these projects when commissioned will generate 11,882 MW power and are likely to be commissioned latest by 2015-16.

The Chief Minister has addressed Prime Minister of India requesting for a joint venture between Nuclear Power Corporation of India and APGENCO for a 2000 MW Nuclear Power Plant at Kadapa. Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has agreed in principle to form a joint venture with APGENCO to set up Nuclear Power Plant. 2000 acres of land has been identified near Pulivendula in Kadapa District for setting up the project. The site selection committee for Nuclear Power Plant has recently visited the identified site. The site details have been sent to NPCIL for inspection. The clearance for the site from NPCIL is awaited.

Reachout's News Bureau
March' 2010