High voltage distribution to curb line losses in agriculture connections

The energy utilities are gearing up for the launch of an ambitious project to reduce transmission and distribution losses for ensuring quality power supply to consumers in the farming sector.

The distribution companies will bring the agriculture connections in Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa and Chittoor districts under the high voltage distribution system (HVDS) to curb the line losses. Being implemented with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the project is aimed at reduction of energy losses, checking theft of energy, reduction in peak power loss and bringing down failure of transformers.

Involving an estimated Rs.276.31 crore, the project will be implemented over the next three years and is aimed at saving around Rs.76.72 crore to the utilities every year. Accordingly, the utilities programmed to spend Rs. 127.64 crore during the current year, Rs. 76.35 crore during the next financial year and another Rs. 72.32 crore during the fiscal year 2016-17 for bringing agriculture connections under the HVDS.

Energy secretary Ajay Jain said the utilities were taking up all possible steps like running power plants at optimum levels, maintaining adequate coal stocks and procurement of power from sources outside the State as and when needed to provide satisfactory supply during the rabi season.

Asserting that there should be no compromise on providing seven-hour supply to the agriculture sector, he directed the officials concerned to ensure time bound replacement of failed distribution transformers (DTRs). Timely replacement of DTRs would ensure that there would be no burden on the farming community for transportation of these transformers.

Field officials had been directed to maintain sufficient rolling stock for timely replacement of failed DTRs besides conducting sub-station level meetings involving farmers and local public representatives to obtain the feedback on the power supply situation during the rabi season. The utilities had decided to give equal priority to industry and agriculture sectors, considered backbone of the State’s economy.

It was accordingly decided to involve 14.5 lakh agriculture consumers in taking forward the energy efficiency and conservation programmes that would enable saving of 35 per cent power through short term and long term demand side management measures. APGenco managing director K. Vijayanand directed the officials to conduct frequent inspections for obtaining first hand information on the power supply position and ensure spot redressal of consumer grievances.