The sixth unit of 39 MW of Priyadarshini Jurala hydro electric power station was commissioned today taking up the total installed capacity at the site up to 234 MW (6x39) and power generation at the sixth stage of Kothagudam thermal power station of 500 MW is set for commercial operation by the month-end.

This AP Genco Kothagudam project, set up with an outlay of Rs 2,325 crore has been synchronised to the State grid during March 2011, and would be available for supply into the State grid later this month.

According to a statement from the State Energy Coordination Cell, the addition of the 500 MW unit will improve the voltage profile of Khammam, Nalgonda, Krishna and Hyderabad districts.

Mr Dinesh Kumar, Principal Secretary-Energy, Government of Andhra Pradesh, took charge from Mr Suthirtha Bhattacharya, the outgoing secretary, said that the State Government is determined to support the State's development goals and strive to bridge the gap between demand and supply of power.

During his interaction with officials of the power sector, it was decided to adopt a five-point programme to strengthen the power sector in the State to ensure supply of reliable power to all categories of consumers, with special focus on agriculture and industrial sectors.

The five-point programme encompasses focus on stepping up power generation to bridge the demand-supply gap, strengthening of the transmission and distribution network, reduction in transmission and distribution losses, promotion of conservation of energy and lastly to introduce consumer welfare activities. It is proposed to strengthen all the 300 customer service centres to serve both the rural and urban areas.

AP Transco is in the process of reducing T&D losses by laying thrust on improving transmission system and segregating agricultural feeders. The State Government has constituted a committee to promote energy conservation.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW