AP to adopt multipronged strategy to meet Energy needs

Hyderabad, June 29 (INN): In view of the unprecedented demand for power and to meet the requirements of the electricity consumers, the Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to adopt multipronged strategy to ensure adequate and quality power supply to the consumers of all categories by putting in place Energy Efficiency & Energy Conservation (EE&EC) measures apart from expediting the construction of ongoing projects and reduction of Transmission & Distribution losses.

As part this strategy, Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, who will hold the high level meet exclusively on Energy Efficiency shortly, is expected to give a road map to the SECM and other key departments on energy efficiency and energy savings measures which will help in savings of around at least 15-20% of energy in future. The Chief Minister has also directed that a mechanism should be developed to involve all the key depts. like Industries, MA&UD, Agrl., RWS, etc. to fix the accountability in achieving the desired goals of energy savings for which state & stakeholders will get benefit to a larger extent.

Disclosing the above details, Chief Secretary and SECM Chairman IYR Krishna Rao, who briefed the Chief Minister before leaving for Tirupati on official visitabout the initiatives taken up by SECM, said that a comprehensive proposal has been submitted to SECM by Energy Efficient Services Limited (EESL) to upgrade the public lighting infrastructure with the LEDs in the entire state on a revenue sharing basis. Since Energy Efficiency is a driving force for the economic development, the Chief Minister is keen to adopt a comprehensive communication strategy in a mission mode and involving all Self Help Groups (SHGs) to make the Energy Efficiency & Conservation programmes a successful, the Chief Secretary said.

Energy Efficiency Improvement Plans: In the present global warming scenario, protection of water, energy and environment is essential to protect the interest of the public in the long run, CS said. For instance by using star rated electrical appliances, consumers can conserve a minimum of 20% energy and reduce their power bills considerably apart from helping the nation by way of saving of natural resources like coal and gas and protection of environment. That's why instructions are going to be issued to all the Govt. Depts to adopt Dept wise Energy Efficiency Improvement Plans.

The CS along with G. Sai Prasad, Secretary to CM, Ajay Jain, Secretary, Energy (FAC), Vijayanand, MD/APGENCO & APTRANSCO have informed the Chief Minister about the power supply position and procurement of addl power. They informed that utilities could supply 125 MU as against the demand of 148 MU with a deficit of 23 MU.

Procurement of additional power: The Chief Secretary further said that CM has directed for procurement of addl. power from various sources to meet the requirements of the public. The officials informed the CM that in the combined state orders have been placed to purchase power to an extent of 1750 MW from pvt. generating stations. Out of which AP is getting 800 MW to meet the demand. In addition to the above, AP state Govt. is making all out efforts to procure power from neighbouring states i.e. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu for the Month of July, 2014.

Already orders have been placed for 300 MW (100 MW from Karnataka, 200 MW from Tamilnadu), out of which 100 MW from Karnataka will be flowing from 1st July. For the balance 200 MW efforts are being made at highest level to get consent from Tamil Nadu for flow of power. With the persuasion of the Chief Minister, Central Generating Stations (CGS) will be giving 65 MW in addition as per the corrected ratio of the CGS share between the 2 states, the CS said.