The power utilities are gearing up for the launch of an ambitious project aiming at reducing transmission and distribution losses and ensuring quality power supply to consumers, especially farmers.
The companies will bring agriculture connections in Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa and Chittoor districts under the high voltage distribution system to check the losses. Being implemented with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the project is aiming at reduction of energy losses, checking power theft, reduction in peak-hour loss and bringing down failure of transformers.
Involving an estimated Rs. 276.31 crore, the project will be implemented over the next three years, saving around Rs. 76.72 crore per annum to the utilities. Accordingly, the utilities programmed to spend Rs. 127.64 crore this fiscal year, Rs. 76.35 crore during the next financial year and another Rs. 72.32 crore during the 2016-17 fiscal year on bringing farm connections under the HVDS.
Energy Secretary Ajay Jain said the utilities were taking up all possible steps such as running power plants at optimum levels, maintaining adequate coal stocks and procurement of power from outside as and when needed to ensure adequate supply during rabi.
Asserting that there would be no compromise on providing seven-hour power supply to the farm sector, he asked the officials to ensure time-bound replacement of failed distribution transformers (DTRs).
Field officials had been asked to maintain sufficient rolling stock for timely replacement of failed DTRs besides conducting sub-station level meetings involving farmers and local public representatives to gather feedback on the power supply situation during rabi.
APGenco MD K. Vijayanand asked the officials to conduct frequent inspections on the power supply situation and ensure redress of consumers’ grievances on spot.
The utilities aim at reduction of transmission losses, checking power theft, quality supply
The project, involving Rs. 276.31 crore, will be implemented in the next three years
