Modernisation of sub-stations, capacity improvement and new feeders will be taken up under the APEPDCL and the SPDCL with a World Bank assistance of ₹3,600 crore of which ₹1,042 crore will be spent on various works under the EPDCL, Energy Minister K. Kala Venkata Rao has said.
With the TDP government stabilising the power sector and running it efficiently, 24x7 power supply was ensured during the last three summers. The government was sure that the power tariff would not go up. “In fact, we are hoping to reduce the tariff by further improving efficiency,” he said addressing a press conference here on Thursday.
Asserting that the energy sector success was due to the first generation reforms taken up by the Chief Minister in his earlier stint, Mr. Venkata Rao said the second generation reforms would also be implemented.
The government, in tie-up with companies, proposed to set up energy storage batteries in one mandal each in Vizianagaram and Nellore districts. The power would last from one week to 10 days.
The first phase of the ₹720 crore underground cabling taken up after cyclone Hudhud with World Bank assistance under the APDRP was going on and the second phase would be cleared in a fortnight, Mr. Venkata Rao said.
Under the EPDCL, over two lakh agricultural connections were given. Energy-efficient pumps, each costing ₹37,000 and saving 30 % power, would also be given to farmers. So far 3,000 applications were received. More than 5,000 solar connections for pumps were given.
Sub-stations
To ensure power supply during cyclones, two 400 kV sub-stations are coming up -- one each in Srikakulam and Vizianagaram districts -- at a cost of ₹400 crore, the Minister said.
The energy agencies from the State receiving 32 awards at the national level was a testimony to their efficiency, he pointed out. The EPDCL stood first in the country with the lowest transmission and distribution losses at 4.9 %.
APEPDCL’s CMD M.M. Nayak; Adviser, Energy, K. Ranganadham; CEO of AP State Energy Efficiency Development Corporation, A. Chandrasekhar Reddy; and EPDCL Directors B. Seshu Kumar and T.V. S. Chandrasekhar were present.