Power of Telangana: From deficit to surplus

​Hyderabad: Before Telangana State was formed, there was a severe power crisis which affected the farmers mostly in Telangana region as they were heavily dependent on borewells. Fifty months down the lane, the State, however, was able to come out of the crisis after the division of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh in 2014. 

Within nine months, power cuts were lifted in the new State and quality power was supplied to all sectors. When the State was formed, the power deficit was 2,700 MWs and the Andhra Pradesh cheated by not giving power as per the Bifurcation Act. The State came out of the grave situation within a short time. For all those prophets of doom who cursed that if Telangana State was formed there would be total darkness, it was an eye-opener.

Steps towards a surplus State
Within six months of the State’s formation, the government ensured that there were no power cuts. Round-the-clock power supply was given to domestic, commercial and industry and nine-hour supply to the agriculture sectors.

Plans were afoot to ensure that there were no power cuts in the subsequent years also. Line losses and supply losses have been reduced from 16.83 per cent to 15.98 per cent. The State government was planning for new power generation units to generate 29,000 MWs, which includes 5,000 MWs solar power. Budget allocations were also done accordingly to the tune of Rs 94,000 crore.

In 2014-15 budget, Rs 4878.68 crore was set aside for power, 2015-2016 Rs 7480.06 crore and 2016-17 Rs 5341.46 crore and distribution loses during 2016-17 were to the tune of 10.41 per cent.

Telangana took up power crisis as a challenge
The first and foremost task before the government after formation of Telangana was to overcome the situation of Power crisis. Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao decided to make Telangana a surplus State in terms of power and planned accordingly. To begin with, steps were taken to strengthen the administration setup with able and dynamic hands. The Chief Minister aimed at controlling losses in supply and distribution. 

The slow-moving power production units at Bhupalapally, Palvoncha and Jaipur have been speeded up. With the farsightedness of Chief Minister, the works had been successfully completed and are delivering results. Since there is abundant demand for power supply, without hesitating for financial hardships, the government extended requests for power procurement from neighbouring States. In order to get power supply from the North, an MOU was entered with Chhattisgarh and a dedicated PGCL line was established. New power production units were also created.

In four years after the creation of Telangana state, 7506 MWs power could be achieved. After the formation of Telangana, there was 7,778 megawatts power generation in the last four years and additionally, 7506 MWs power could be procured. Through Singerani power plant 1200 MWs, KTPC 600 MWs, Jurala 240 MWs, Pulichintala 90 MWs, TPCIL 570 MWs, from Chattisgarh 1000 MWs, solar 3342MWs, wind power, CGS100MWs could be procured additionally. In order to have more green power, solar policy was introduced in the State. 

As a result of this, 3320 MWs solar power could be produced, making the Telangana a leading state in the country. With all these factors, by June 2018 in the State-established power generation capacity came to 15,284 MWs. New plants are being established to generate 13,752 MWs of power additionally in near future. Up to the end of March 2018 through KTPS seventh stage, additionally 800 MWs power will be made available. 1080 MWs Bhadradri Power Plant firsts phase will be completed by the end of 2018. In the forthcoming three years, additionally 12872 MWs power is proposed.

Betterment in production and supply
With an investment of Rs 16,987 crore, the State government had taken all steps for improvising production and supply capacities. When the State was formed in June 2014, there were only six 400 KV sub stations to supply 5240 MWs power, additionally nine more were established and the number increased to 15. At present, five 400 KV substations were completed at Suryapet, Narsapur, Asupaka, Dindi and Maheswaram with a capacity of 3980 MWs. Four additional 400 KV substations are under way at Julurpadu, Nirmal, Ketireddypally and Janagoan with the capacity of 3705 MWs. 19 of 220 KV sub stations have been established.  

35 of 132KV substations were newly established. With the result prior to formation of State 233 EHT lines capacity has gone up to 292 substations. For existing 33 KV substations, number of 33/11KV substations were added. Apart from substations in 2695.25 KMs area 400KV lines, 6900 kms stretch of 220 KV lines, 10,321 Kms of 132 KV lines were newly laid. Prior to Telangana 16,379 KMs line were there and presently, 19,916 Kms lines are made available. Besides this 33/11 KV lines were also laid newly across 15,000 KMs stretch. 

In addition to the existing 3,748 Power transformers newly 1724 power transformers were established taking the number to 5,472. To overcome low voltage problem several thousands of new transformers were established. This is going to be one of the major talking point during the Pragati Nivedika on September 2 and during the election campaign as well.