AP withdraws from PPAs, seeks more power allocation from dispatch centre

SLDC approaches the RLDC seeking revised schedules

Consequent to its decision to withdraw from power purchase agreements (PPAs), the Andhra Pradesh government has demanded allocation of more power to the State from the Southern Regional Load Dispatch Centre situated in Bangalore. However, the request was not honoured.

According to the procedure, the State Load Dispatch Centres of all Southern States – Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala send requisitions for supply of power (called ‘Day Ahead Schedule’ in tech parlance) to the SRLDC a day before. Based on these, the regional centre, which is responsible for frequency maintenance, makes power allocations to each State.

While the total installed capacity in both States stands at over 16,700 megawatts, the actual combined generation stands at mere 8,900 MW as of now.

If the allocations are based on the predetermined shares of 54 per cent and 46 per cent respectively, for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh States, the former would get nearly 4,800 MW. However, if the PPAs are to be rescinded, the power availability for Telangana would get reduced to about 4,200 MW, resulting in deficit of close to 600 MW.

This would have resulted in a power crisis in the newly formed State. Further, the cushion of hydro power from Sileru Complex during peak hours would be gone.

Ponnala, Jana fault move

Congress party reacted sharply to the withdrawal of PPA agreement by the AP government, terming it as an act intended to create bad blood with the government of Telangana.

TPCC president Ponnala Lakshmaiah and CLP leader K. Jana Reddy were highly critical of the developments and expressed fears that such an attitude of the AP government could lead to trouble.

Mr. Lakshamaiah, at a press conference here on Wednesday, said such a move was nothing short of provoking the new State of Telangana.

The TPCC chief said it could become a sensitive issue leading to friction between States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Stating that the decision was against the spirit of bifurcation act, the TPCC president said there were hundreds of agreements between the two States, which could run into rough weather. He said if the two State governments start taking different decisions, people would be the ultimate sufferers.