The Hindu Business Line : Monsoon eases power situation across AP

WITH the onset of monsoon in several parts of the State, the demand-supply mismatch in the power sector that persisted during the summer is showing signs of easing. There is no load relief for the past seven days.

However, the State resorted to 100 MW of additional power purchase from the Central Generating Stations to meet the current demand.

As several units of power plants were either under maintenance or undergoing service, the State had to step up power purchase.

According to a statement from APTransco, the State power system is short by about 1,260 MW of generation capacity from various stations. These include 350 MW of KTPS, 280 MW of Central Generating Stations, 200 MW of NTPC-Simhadri, 330 MW of gas-based power plants due to reduced gas supply and other stations about 100 MW.

Transco says the generation at KTPS will be restored once the 220 KV KTPS - Budidampadu line is restored. Restoration work is underway and the tower erection would be completed shortly. This is set to be operational by Wednesday.

Due to poor water storage situation in most of the State reservoirs, the generation from all the leading hydel stations has come to a standstill, causing additional pressure on all coal and gas generating stations. Further, with pressure on coal supplies on one side and shortage of gas supply for gas-based power plants, the demand supply situation was under severe pressure.

The State had to resort to additional purchase from Central stations while simultaneously imposing power cuts during last two months. However, with the onset of monsoon, and relatively lower demand from the agriculture sector users, the pressure has partially eased out.

During the month of June, 3,636 million units of energy were supplied as against 3,343 million units last year reflecting an increase of 8.75 per cent in overall consumption.

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