Power utilities chalk out plan to implement scheme first for domestic users

Gearing up for introduction of Power For All, 24X7 power supply to domestic consumers to begin with, the power utilities in the State have chalked out an elaborate action plan for successful implementation of the scheme.

Senior officials of the AP Power Generation Corporation, Transmission Corporation and the distribution companies conducted a brain storming session on Tuesday as part of efforts to compile a report on the State’s preparedness for implementation of the prestigious scheme. Andhra Pradesh is one among the three States including Delhi and Rajasthan selected by the Centre for the implementation of the scheme.

Energy secretary Ajay Jain who chaired the Tuesday’s meeting directed the officials concerned to expeditiously prepare a report on the State’s power situation considering aspects like demand side management of the energy efficient lighting programme. The report would be submitted to the Central government tentatively on July 21.

The power utilities evolved a 10-point formula for ensuring the successful implementation of the scheme which focuses primarily on reduction of demand supply gap and strengthening the transmission capacity of the existing network. The generation utility, on its part, had been directed to ensure increase in the plant load factor from the current 75 per cent to 90 per cent.

Accordingly, it would keep buffer stock of coal sufficient to meet requirement for at least 15 days, secure coal linkages for new units coming up at RTPP, Krishnapatnam and other plants and invite bids for procurement of additional 2,000 MW power. Booking of southern corridor in advance for evacuation of power from other States in the event of a shortfall was among the priority areas identified during the meeting.

According to Mr. Jain, bids for setting up of solar power generation units of 1,000 MW capacity at Guntur and Anantapur would be called soon while the utilities would step up their efforts on the energy efficiency measures. Following Energy Efficiency Services Limited’s keenness to invest over Rs. 1,000 crore in the State, the utilities would enter into a revenue sharing agreement with the public sector energy systems company to launch energy efficiency measures on a campaign mode.

In addition to conducting a high-level meeting in the first week of every month for energy audit, the utilities would enter into institutional arrangements for ensuring a transparent delivery mechanism and a communication strategy for keeping the consumers posted about the developments on a regular basis.