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Power demand supply gap is likely to widen in Andhra Pradesh with the gas supply dwindling further.
About 2 million standard cubic meters per day of natural gas will be diverted to Ratnagiri project in Maharashtra, leading to a loss of about 400 MW more.
While the energy demand was about 243 million units a day, the energy supply was about 207 MUs leaving a gap of 35 MUs on Monday.
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy met with several senior leaders during his visit to Delhi seeking their support in meeting the State’s power requirement, including additional gas supply for generation.
Responding to the State’s request, the Union Power Minister Veerappa Moily has said that the State’s request needs immediate attention. The matter will be taken up with the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
On the developments, the Union Petroleum Minister S. Jaipal Reddy has said that the gas allocation is based on Empowered Group of Ministers suggestions and the State had access to gas for 11 months. This was being restored to Ratnagiri.
In the meanwhile, the gap has widened this year even though this is a monsoon season.
“Industrial consumers are extremely worried as they expected the situation to get better with the monsoon setting in. However, with further cuts due to low gas supply, we are forced to knock at the Government every day seeking their support,” Devandra Surana, President of Fapcci, said.
“We have given several suggestions to them including allowing us to take up renewable energy projects — solar and wind with some flexible provisions. This will be particularly useful in the case of captive consumption,” Surana said.
The news of diversion of natural gas from the KG Basin has become a controversial issue assuming political dimensions. The TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu has also written a letter to the Prime Minister about the power situation.
rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in
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