The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : State opts for naphtha to meet power shortage

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Friday, Nov 21, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

State opts for naphtha to meet power shortage

Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD: The government has decided to meet the power shortage during rabi season in the State by using naphtha as fuel for some gas-based power projects and by importing coal to build up stocks for thermal stations.

Following increase in agriculture load, the demand is expected to reach a high of 218 mu a day shortly, thereby causing a daily shortage of 60 mu. At present, the AP Transco is able to get only 158 mu a day from all sources.

By using naphtha and importing coal, the government wants to enhance generation by 19 mu, taking the daily availability to 177 mu.

At a meeting on energy-related issues here on Thursday, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy asked the top-brass of the AP Transco, AP Genco and Singareni Collieries to prepare action plans to provide another 41 mu to meet the contingency.

Speaking to reporters later, Finance Minister K. Rosaiah said the decision on naphtha and coal were taken as no scope existed now to buy power from other States, traders and NTPC. He said the Chief Minister had issued strict instruction to the officials to see that power supply was made to all categories of consumers without any cut till May-end, and for seven hours to agriculture sector.

On supply of Reliance gas, Mr Rosaiah said “We can’t build castles in air. It depends on the dates given by Reliance Industries Limited. It has earlier said the gas would be ready by December but now it has postponed it to March”.

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