—Minister for Energy, Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy
Vijayawada, 19-05-2023: With the objective of making Andhra Pradesh Power sector more resilient and meet any increasing electricity demand in future and address the existing challenges of substantial increase in temperatures, the state government had strongly committed to strengthen the power sector and provide 24x7 quality and reliable power supply to consumers and make the sector more consumer centric for delivering better services.
Andhra Pradesh Power utilities have successfully met the highest energy demand ever in the State of Andhra Pradesh to the tune of 251 Million units on May 18, 2023 with a maximum demand of 12653 MW.
The energy demand has been increasing year on year. The peak demand has increased by around 27.51 per cent compared to the peak demand of last year. For instance, the energy demand in the month of March-2020 was 5853.39 MU where as the monthly energy demand in March-2023 reached 6781.54 MU with an increase of around 16 percent. Similarly, the average day demand in May-2020 was 180.69 MU as against the average day demand of 210.20 MU up to May 17, 2023 with an increase of 16.33 per cent. The peak demand in May-2020 was 10101 MW as against 12156 MW in May-2023 up to 17th May.
While energy department officials explained the above, the Minister for Energy, Environment, Forests, Mines, Science & Technology, Peddireddi Rama Chandra Reddy in a virtual review meeting on the power supply position, said that the Government is committed to meet any rise in energy demand and ensure 24x7 quality power supply to the consumers and 9 hours day time power supply to the agriculture sector. As part of strengthening free power scheme, around 1.20 lakh agricultural connections have been sanctioned in the State by the end of March 2023. He appreciated the power utilities for successfully addressing the first of its kind highest energy demand ever of 251 MU on May 18, 2023 and supplying 24x7 power.
“Ours is a pro-public government. We never compromise in protecting the interests of the electricity consumers and is giving high priority for power sector which is a key source of economic growth. Our ultimate objective is to provide 24x7 power supply on a sustainable basis and strengthen the power sector for welfare of people and economic development. The Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy is very keen on supplying 24x7 power with highest quality and reliability to each and every household in the State” he said.
“The rise in energy consumption is a sign of economic progress in the State. For an instance, the electricity demand in Vizag city alone was 6696 MU in 2018-19 has increased to 8164 MU in 2021-22 translating to a 22 per cent increase in energy consumption.The uptick in demand clearly shows the increasing economic activity in Visakhapatnam. The minister asked the utilities to maintain the same tempo in supplying 24x7 power supply in coming months as well. He also asked utilities to lay special focus on agriculture power supply which is one of the highest priorities of the state government.
The special chief secretary energy K Vijayanand explained the Minister that the power utilities are continuously pursuing with the Union Ministry of Coal and Railways to improve coal supplies to thermal power plants for power generation in view of the rising electricity demand. He said DISCOMs are taking stringent measures to avoid interruptions in power supply and are alert in resolving any power supply issues.
He also said that the AP power utilities are making all out efforts to expedite efficient output from thermal power generation projects, green energy projects, power network strengthening activities etc., for which the energy department is reviewing the generation, transmission and distribution activities periodically and initiating appropriate steps to avoid any bottlenecks.“With the directions of Hon’ble Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and guidance and support from Energy Minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy, the utilities have been successful in meeting any rise in energy demand”, Special CS said.
Managing Director APGENCO and JMD APTRANSCO, K V N Chakradhar babu said that out of the total energy demand of 251 MU met on 18th May 2023, major portion of energy to the tune of around 103.294 MUs was met from APGENCO only. CMD APEPDCL, I Prudhvi Tej, CMD, APCPDCL, J Padma Janardhana Reddy and CMD APSPDCL K Santosha Rao and other senior officials have participated in the meeting.
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