The Telangana citizens might have to brace themselves for the worst ever summer of the decade, with all avenues for power availability or acquisition gradually being shut down, for the newly formed State.
The four-hour shutdown may eventually go up to six hours or more in the city from April next, when the rabi operations get into full swing, officials say. Power supply for agriculture too may be affected in a big way.
While the soon-to-be-commissioned 800-MW Krishnapatnam Thermal Power Plant had been a great source of optimism, sources say that Telangana may not benefit from it, if the indications are anything to go by.
APERC has, in the recent past, sent back the PPA for the Krishnapatnam project, with remarks that, the power of adjudication lay with the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission, as it was to be an inter-state project.
The PPA will have to be presented afresh for the CERC’s consideration, which the AP government may not do, going by the recent escalation of tensions between the two states, says K. Raghu, the Coordinator of the TEEJAC. The discoms albeit have a minority stake in the special purpose vehicle APPDCL under which the project functions, but the company may resolve to merely pay dividends instead of the power allotments, he says.
When sought his version, the CMD of APGENCO, K.Vijayanand said they were seeking legal opinion to determine further action.
The 600-MW Bhupalpally power project may not be commissioned as scheduled by next summer, official sources said. The earliest date by which it will start functioning could be in August next year.
As of now, about 900 MW power is being provided by the short-term generators, the agreements with whom would end by May next year. Very few short/medium term agreements have been signed afresh so far.
Scope of obtaining power from outside the State has slimmed down, as Tamil Nadu has already laid its claim over the grid corridor.
The Srisailam Left Bank Powerhouse alone could redeem the situation to some extent through its reverse pumping mechanism, which can be operated during peak hours, officials informed. Power from Thermal Powertech Corporation in Nellore and Hinduja National Power Corporation in Vizag may be other sources if the projects are commissioned as planned.
Telangana power requirement as of now: 6,300 MW
Projected power requirement for summer: over 7,000 MW
Power available as of now: 5,100 MW
Load reliefs & Power holidays: 1,200 MW
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