The Andhra Pradesh Government is working out ways to optimise power generation, while procuring more power to meet the spurt in energy demand during the kharif season.

The Government is seeking to make both short term and long term linkages for additional power, but has several constraints in bridging the demand-supply gap.

Mr Dinesh Kumar, Principal Secretary, Energy, has emphasised the need to expedite the ongoing power projects covering generation, transmission and distribution sectors, apart from encouraging energy conservation.

According to a statement from the Energy Co-ordination Cell, he said the per capita power consumption in the State has crossed over 1000 Kilo Watt Hour (kwh) averaging 1050 Kwh, as against the national average of 813 kwh.

The State Government has contemplated an investment of Rs 14,000 crore in the next four years for strengthening the transmission and distribution infrastructure network with an outlay of Rs 6,000 crore and Rs 8,000 crore, respectively, he said.

There have been several constraints in meeting the power demand due to severe shortage of fuel and inadequate hydel reserves, continuous dry spell and transmission corridor problem. These have forced distribution companies to impose power cuts. The utilities could supply 216 million units of 252 MU required with a deficit of 36 MU on Saturday.

The State Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, is set to review the performance of the energy sector and take follow up measures. The meeting will discuss issues relating to power supply position, expediting the upcoming power projects and procurement of additional power.

The Government is likely to take up the issue of renewable energy sources and short-term and long-term programmes for development of the sector.

> vrishi@thehindu.co.in

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