AP Govt ensures 7 hours power supply

Hyderabad, Aug 9 (INN): Keeping in view the enhanced demand for power to the extent of 9% in July this year, as compared to same month last year due to dry spell and increasing temperatures during the current khariff season, the Power Utilities of Andhra Pradesh Government have made foolproof arrangements for providing assured seven hours quality power supply for the benefit of farming sector consisting of around 15 lakhs agricultural pumpsets in the State.

As per the directions of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, a special mechanism has been adopted to see that not even a single acre crop wither due to short supply of power and taken up all possible steps to replace failed Distribution Transformers (DTRs) within stipulated time i.e. 24 hours in rural areas also. Government has also directed DISCOMs to give main focus on providing assured power supply to all Drinking water supply schemes to avoid any inconvenience to the public.

Disclosing the above details, Energy Secretary Ajay Jain, who held teleconference along with APTRANSCO CMD and GENCO MD K Vijayanand, Energy Department (Advisor) K. Ranganatham, with CMDs of APEPDCL and APSPDCL R.Muthyala Raju and H.Y.Dora and senior officers, said that government was keen to implement energy efficiency activities even in agricultural sector where there is a potentiality of around 35% savings of Energy with effective Demand Side Management (DSM) measures.

As part of this programme, the Chief Minister,, who has already cleared the proposal for implementation of second phase of Andhra Pradesh Rural High Voltage Distribution System (APRHVDS) project, which will cover 46,727 pumpets in seven districts of AP with an estimated cost of around Rs. 294 crore, directed the Energy Dept. to give top priority for agrl. sector in providing quality power supply irrespective of seasons. During the recent visit of AP high level delegation, Japan Govt. assured full support to CM of AP for Energy efficiency in agriculture and overall infrastructural development of AP, Ajay Jain said.

JICA sanctioned loan assistance to an extent of 85% of the Project Cost, i.e., Rs.251 Crores on ODA package at concessional rate of interest of 0.65% only. The repayment period would be 40 years (including grace period of 10 years). Power Sector is one of the priority sectors for Japanese Overseas Development Authority (ODA) Loans. This prestigious project will ensure quality power supply to farming sector and reduction in Distribution losses, avoidance of theft of energy apart from reducing Distribution Transformer failures in seven districts of Krishna, Guntur, Prakasam, Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa & Chittoor. It is pertinent to note that, HVDS 1st phase has already been implemented to 6,22,611 Nos. agriculture services at the cost of Rs.2358 upto March 31.

Vijayanand said that utilities are going to involve farmers fully in the successful implementation of 2nd phase of APRHVDS.