In a significant development towards enhancing the power generation capacities in Andhra Pradesh, the long cherished dream of Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGENCO) has been fulfilled as the union ministry of Environment & Forest has given environmental clearance to the project for expansion of Hydro power project from capacity 4x115 MW to 6x115 MW by adding two units of capacity 2x115 MW at lower sileru hydro power house and improvement of power canal works at Mothugundem, Chintur Mandal, Alluri sitaramaraju(ASR) district.
A communication granting environmental clearance has been received by APGENCO which was sent from Impact assessment division of Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate change (MoEF & CC).
Disclosing the above during a meeting with Special chief secretary energy K Vijayanand, the Managing Director of APGENCO & JMD APTRANSCO KVN Chakradhar Babu said that APGENCO is operating the Hydro Electric Project in Sileru complex at Mothugudem, Chintur (Mandal) of ASR District from 1978 with an installed capacity of 4x115 MW. At the time of construction of power house, provision was made for installation of two more units of 115 MW each in future. Now, APGENCO has taken up installation of additional units to meet the peak time demand, to avoid the purchase of power at premium price, thus saving to APGENCO, said MD GENCO.
While responding to the power point presentation made by MD APGENCO in Vidyut soudha in Vijayawada, the special CS energy & Chairman of APGENCO said that all these major things have been achieved due to the continuous monitoring of chief minister Y S JaganMohan Reddy and support from energy minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy from time to time.
The special CS said that the power demand had increased manifold in the State and reached a record high of 247 Million Units (MU) on 20 April, 2023. The average power consumption in the month of April-2023 is increased by 5 to 6 percent for the corresponding demand in April-2022. It is expected that demand may reach 250 MU per day in the coming days. The additional 2x115 MW hydro power at lower sileru helps for meeting the future energy demand, he said.
Explaining about the additional units of lower sileru hydro power project, MD GENCO said “As necessary infrastructure to install the additional units was already in place, the works can be completed in less time and units would be commissioned at the earliest. APGENCO has applied for necessary environmental clearance and the Ministry of Environment & Forest, GOI issued terms of reference. APGENCO conducted Environmental impact Assessment (EIA) studies and public hearing was done on 27.07.2022. Now, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) accorded environmental clearance for the project on 24.04.2023”, he said.
“As the contractor for providing additional units is already available, the works can be commenced at once and completed in the shortest possible time. APGENCO is planning to commission the units by the end of 2024 at a cost of Rs. 415 crore. APGENCO will implement the Environment Management Plan (EMP) approved by MoEF & CC for the benefit of local people and surrounding villages and to protect the environment at a cost of Rs.11 crore. “We will not leave any opportunity to strengthen and sustain APGENCO which is considered as one of the best generation utility in the country”, he said.
Stating that APGENCO is geared up to generate the requisite power and meet the rising energy demand, he explained about the project highlights of AP Power Development Corporation Limited (APPDCL)-Sri Damodara Sanjeeviah Thermal Power Station (SDSTPS)-Stage-II-1X800 MW. He said the Supercritical Unit-3 of 800MW capacity taken up as Stage-II of SDSTPS is in operation since March 10, 2023.
The unit is contributing to the daily consumption with around 16 MU of energy and it came in handy to meet the rising demand of AP state Grid. This unit has generated its highest generation of 17.304 MU with a maximum load of 793 MW on April 15, 2023. Being a super critical unit, it is advantageous with higher efficiency/Plant Load Factor (PLF) with drastic reduction of CO2 emissions and economical in power generation compared to sub-critical units.
He further said that 1x800 MW Dr. Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station (Dr NTTPS) is going to be light up within one month and commercial operation date would be after 3 months of light up of the unit.
APGENCO Director Hydel Satyanarayana, Director Finance Venkatesulu reddy and other senior officials have participated in the review.
Annexure:
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