Transmission Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (APTransco) has requested NTPC Ltd to increase power generation capacity at its Simhadri power project to help the State meet increased demand during the rabi season for farm sector operations.

The energy demand spikes up as agriculturists use borewells to tap ground water to support the standing crop.

Mr Ajay Jain, Chairman and Managing Director of APTransco, in a letter addressed to the Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC, Mr Arup Roy Choudhury, and the Regional Director, has mentioned about the growing demand in the State due to ongoing farm operations and expressed the need to ensure higher energy supplies from the Simhadri located near Visakhapatnam.

Lately, generation there has been partially affected due to inadequate coal supplies. Mr Jain wrote, “I regret to inform that the 1,000 MW stage-I, Simhadri thermal power station dedicated to Andhra Pradesh is generating around technical minimum level during certain days in last 15 days due to low coal stocks. Today this station is generating around 750 MW, while the 500 MW unit of Stage II of Southern region is generating 440 MW.”

Reduced generation levels at Stage I by 200 MW during the peak agricultural season is untenable as such reduction increases the demand-supply gap in the State. Andhra Pradesh in particular and southern region in general are experiencing deficit due to transmission corridor constraints between the regions and new grid. In this backdrop, any reduction from internal sources is a matter of concern.

The demand for power in Andhra Pradesh has shot up due to rabi seasonal loads and there is no improvement in generation. Due to peak season, power supply has been adversely affected, particularly impacting the farm sector.

NTPC has been requested to ensure adequate coal stocks to ensure peak generation and thereby help the State and farm operations.

>vrishi@thehindu.co.in

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