Power cuts to Industries to be lifted gradually by the end of this month

Hyderabad|India|April'2010: The Chief Minister Dr K Rosaiah told the APGenco officials that Commercial Operation Date is what matters and not date of commissioning etc. Dr Rosaiah said consumers interest is paramount for the State Government. Power being the lifeline of any sector, APGenco should complete the projects with clear milestones strictly adhering to the time schedules. He asked the officials to prepare a clear-cut report stating the 'definite power additionality' to the AP Power Grid every month, so that AP Transco can have a well advanced plan to meet the consumers demand. The Chief Minister reiterated that under any circumstances people should not be put to any difficulties.

The Chief Minister reviewed the latest power supply position and performance and progress of power projects with AP Transco and APGenco officials at Secretariat. The Chief Minister asked APGenco to speed up the projects to see that the date of commissioning is advanced keeping in view the unprecedented increase in demand for power from all sectors in the State. He said the State Government is ready to solve any problems from land acquisition, water availability, coal linkages etc. so that the project could be expedited.

Chief Secretary, S.V.Prasad, Principal Secretary, Energy, Suthirtha Bhattacharya, CMD, APTransco, Ajay Jain, JMDs, APTransco, Umesh Sharaf, Pandurangam, CMD, CPDCL, M T Krishna Babu, Principal Secretary, Finance, L V Subramaniam, CMD, Singareni Collieries, Narsing Rao and other officials attended the meeting.

The Chief Minister was informed by the officials that average energy demand met during April 2010 (up to 11th) is 227.76 MU as against 203.36 MU during the same period last year registering an increase of 12%. The average unrestricted demand during this period is 252.82 MU as against 228.74 MU during the same period last year registering an increase of 10.53%. The peak demand met during April 2010 (up to 11th) is 10,396 MW as against 9,934 MW during the same period last year registering an increase of 4.65%. The average load relief per day during April 2010 (up to 11th) is 25.06 MU. The average energy met during March 2010 is 228.47 MU as against 208.6 MU during the same period last year registering an increase of 9.5%. The average unrestricted demand during the period is 253.5 MU as against 226.2 MU during the same period last year with an increase of 12%.

The peak demand met during March 2010 is 10,880 MW as against 9997 MW during the same period last year registering an increase of 8.8%. The average load relief per day during March, 2010 is 25.03 MU. The energy supplied during 2009-10 is 74,767 MU against 67,622 MU during previous year, registering an increase of 10.57%. The peak demand met during 2009-10 is 10,880 MW as against 9,997 MW during the same period last year registering an increase of 8.8%.

The growth of demand for energy has been 15% in domestic sector, 14% in commercial sector, 10% for industrial sector and 10% for agricultural sector over previous year. The Chief Minister was told by the officials that 7 hours free agricultural supply is being ensured. All rural areas are being supplied 12 hours night supply from 6 pm to 6 am. Power cuts to Industries would be lifted in a phased manner once the demand from agriculture starts coming down by the end of this month. Industries are being allowed open access to source power from generators within and outside the State. The Hydel generation for the year 2009-10 is 5,510 MU as against projection of 8,969 MU as estimated by APERC in ARR, which is 38% less. The Hydel generation during 2009-10 has been 29% less compared to the previous year (7,785 MU). 210 MW (5 MU) VTPS Unit-6 is under forced outage since last week of December, 2009 and restoration is expected in August 2010. 445 MW Konaseema Gas Power Station is back into service from 10.3.2010 in open cycle. The present generation is around 85 MW. No major overhauls of AP Genco Thermal Stations and NTPC (Simhadri) to be planned for July and August 2010 due to expected heavy demand.

The meeting decided that since some of the merchant plants in the State like GMR Barge mounted plant near Kakinada (200 MW) & Navabharat (98 MW) are willing to offer power throughout the year to A.P and Discoms may access this power by calling for short-term procurement of power up to 500 MW for one year. One 400 kv, three 220 kv substations and Nine 132 kv substations have been added to the State. Ten 400 kv, 96 Nos of 220 kv and 278 Nos. 132 kv substations are existing in the State as on 31.3.2010. An investment of Rs.833 crores made during the year for expanding and strengthening the Transmission network. For Greater Hyderabad, two 400 kv, Ten 220 kv substations and six 132 kv substations have been proposed with latest technology to ensure quality supply.

Electrification of 14,309 un-electrified habitations and 38 lakhs rural households including 25 lakhs BPL Rural Households at a cost of Rs.800 crores has taken up under Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojna (RGGVY). As on 31st March, 2010 - 13,270 un-electrified habitations and 28.15 lakhs (74%) rural households including 22.74 lakh (91%) BPL Rural Households have been electrified at a cost of Rs.715.43 crores. The Chief Minister was informed by the APGenco officials that the Capacity added during 2009-2010 was 1039 MW; total Generation - 32,097 MU; out of which Thermal Generation is 26,566 MU. This is the highest since inception. Out of which Hydro Generation is 5,531 MU. Ramagundam Thermal Station-B has achieved the highest annual generation of 512 MU since commissioning in 1971.All time high Plant Load Factor (PLF) of Units - 98.84% --Unit-5 of Dr. NTTPS (Vijayawada); and 96.15% - Unit-2 of KTPS-V Stage & APGenco PLF is 86.2% against All India PLF of 77.5%.

Thermal Stations supplied an average of 77 MU per day for the last 10 days. APGenco supplied 91 MU per day for the last 15 days. Thermal Stations can contribute 77 MU per day on an average from 14th April, 2010 onwards. Declared COD of 500 MW Dr.NTTPS Stage-IV on 28.1.2010; all Units of Srisailam Right Bank Powerhouse are kept in service; 500 MW Kakatiya Stage-I was successfully commissioned on 31.3.2010. To meet water requirement of KTPS Complex, a pumping scheme at confluence point of Godavari and Kinnerasani rivers at Burugampad is taken up by Irrigation Department, Government of A.P. NTPC has been requested to take up Monitoring and Evaluation of APGenco thermal power projects under construction.

Status of Thermal Projects under construction - Kakatiya Stage-I (500 MW) commercial operation date (COD) is 31.5.2010; Rayalaseema Unit-5 (210 MW) COD 30.11.2010; Kothagudem Stage-VI (500 MW) COD is 31.12.2010; Kakatiya Stage-II (600 MW) COD 31.7.2012 and Krishnapatnam (2X800 MW) (1600 MW) COD 22.8.2012 and 22.2.2013. Kakatiya Thermal Power Project Stage-I (500 MW) is successfully commissioned on 31.3.2010; stabilization tests are under progress and the unit will be tested for commercial operation date by 31.5.2010. Status of Hydro Projects under construction - Priyadarshini Jurala (6X39) three Units commissioned, Unit-4 by August, 2010; balance 2 Units at 4 months interval by March, 2011; Nagarjunasagar Tailpond (2X25) March, 2011 & June, 2011; Pulichintala (4X30) Unit-1 by March, 2011; balance 3 units at 4 months interval by December, 2011 and Lower Jurala (6X40) Unit-1 by May, 2011; balance 5 units at 4 months interval by January, 2013.

The Chief Minister was told that the Singareni Collieries supplied 149% of coal linkage to APGenco during April, 09--March 2010. As far as the 600 MW Singareni Thermal Power Plant at Jaipur, Adilabad District is concerned, the Chief Minister was informed that total land for the project has been acquired and site levelling and other civil works already commenced. The environmental clearance is obtained, power purchase agreement between SCCL and AP Transco is under finalisation. The Commercial Operation Date of STPP has been tentatively fixed as 31st December, 2013 while synchronisation date is 30th Sept. 2013.

-April' 2010