The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy, today assured industries that several measures were being taken to mitigate power shortage including by pooling power from various sources.

Interacting with representatives of the CII, the Chief Minister said AP Transco is purchasing 900 MW power and non-conventional energy projects — solar and wind are being encouraged in the medium-term.

The Chief Minister wanted the CII to come out with concrete proposals to overcome the situation. He called upon them to work out how much more energy they can produce from captive power plants and what incentives they require to hike output.

As long-term measure, the Union Government is being approached for gas supply to the gas-based power plants. Few other power projects in the State would start commercial production soon.

The Chief Minister agreed to consider the proposals of CII to encourage solar power for hoardings, other lightings so that 200-300 MW can be saved. The industries are being allowed open access to purchase power from various possible sources.

The CII said while the State has the second largest hydel power generation capacity in the country, it is not able to fully harness its potential due to the vagaries of monsoon. While AP Genco is the third largest power generating utility in the country, next only to NTPC and Mahagenco, the drop in reservoir levels has impacted the overall output.

During the interaction, the Chief Minister also assured that the grid to supply power from North and East to South will be strengthened by 2013 and help buy additional power from Central generating stations.

>rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

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