The Andhra Pradesh Energy department which kept its fingers crossed over the power scenario post bifurcation appears to be placed in a comfort zone, ahead of the launch of the ambitious power for all programme on October 2 coinciding with the Gandhi Jayanti.
From an acute shortage that crossed 25 million units a day during the early monsoon months, the department has reached a position where it could avert load relief (power cuts) to all sections of consumers, including the industrial sector. The department which faced a shortage in excess of 500 MW after bifurcation is much relieved ever since the trial run of the 800 MW Krishnapatnam thermal project was successfully completed as also the enhanced prospects of harnessing solar energy close to 1,000 MW.
Thanks to the active support from the Union Ministry of Power, the State had been securing 200 MW assured power from the NTPC’s Jhajjar plant from August and the agreement would continue till March next year. This apart, the State’s power utilities received another major boost with public sector generator NTPC agreeing to set up a 4,000 MW thermal plant in Visakhapatnam. The government would formally hand over the possession of land for the proposed mega project to the NTPC in the presence of Union Minister of State Piyush Goyal on Tuesday.
The department is buoyed by the fact that the State government would sign a memorandum of understanding with the Centre for promoting solar power of 2,150 MW in Anantapur and other districts. Anantapur in particular would house the first ever solar grid in the State, spread over 500 acres at NP Kunta, and the project received a boost with the Solar Energy Corporation of India assuring financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 200 crore.
Energy officials are anxiously awaiting the signing of the joint initiative by the Centre and State governments on the PFA slated for Tuesday as the Centre’s help could come in handy for the State to overcome shortages anticipated in the coming days. “There is no load relief to any sector as of now. We are meeting all the requirement,” was how an elated Energy secretary Ajay Jain reacted when contacted by The Hindu .
The synchronisation of the 800 MW Krishnapatnam project in the next few days would add further comfort enabling the department to effectively implement the PFA programme from the day one. “Addition of 800 MW will no doubt make the situation much better. But we are looking at challenges that could come up during the summer months,” Mr. Jain said.
The department was in parleys with the Central government that had initiated steps for gas pooling to ensure supply to over 2,000 MW capacity that is lying idle for want of fuel. The department officials, however, appeared to be unsure about whether the PFA would be implemented at one go across the State or in phases to enable the utilities to make up for the shortcomings that would be noticed in the initial days.
