Power consumption declines in AP

Visakhapatnam: In a significance development, the power consumption in the State has come down across all the 13 districts. With the increase in solar power consumption and other power saving measures being maintained by the consumers both commercial and domestic, the pressure on the power generation, transmission and distribution companies has come down.

Highlights:

• Official says the pressure on thermal plants has come down with the timely implementation of power saving measures at all the levels and rapid promotion of solar energy
• Large number of commercial and business houses establishing solar plants for their cent per cent needs

In fact, after the state bifurcation, Andhra Pradesh started its move with about 22 million units power deficit per day. However, during the three-year journey, there is a significance change in power consumption across the state. The pressure on the thermal plants has come down with the timely implementation of power saving measures at all the levels and rapid promotion of solar energy.

The Simhadri Super Thermal Power Plant of NTPC which was established with 2,000 MW power has reduced its capacity to 1,400 MW. The Simhadri power plant generates power in four units each with a capacity of 500 MW. However, in the present fiscal, the plant has not generating to its full capacity as there is no demand from the transmission and distribution companies.

“Yes, it is a welcome sign. With augmentation of the conventional and renewable energy sources, the power is being saved in Andhra Pradesh. The massive propagation of solar power utilisation and energy saving methods across the state, the power consumption has come down.

Right from the villages, there is a tremendous change in utilising of LED and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) and star rating electrical appliances,” a senior official of the operation and maintenance wing of Simhadri Super Thermal Power Plant said. At present all the four units are in operation, but capacity was reduced to 30 per cent, the official added.

Large number of commercial and business houses establishing solar plants for their cent per cent needs. However, some industries setting up mini solar plants for their domestic needs and using the traditional power only for their operations.
“Both commercial and domestic consumers are coming forward to set up solar plants.

Many commercial consumers, Visakha Dairy, Port Trust and Simhachalam Devasthanam have already set up solar plants. The consumers replacing the old and traditional appliances, which consume power at a high scale with high rated appliances, CFL and LEDs. Normally, after summer, the demand for power will come down.

But, at present the demand has coming down in a significant note,” one of the Superintending Engineers of APEPDCL said. Already, the Andhra Pradesh has emerged as a surplus power state. Once the NTPC’s another 4,000 MW plant come into operations, Andhra Pradesh would be a mega power generating state, the SE added.

Speaking at a programme held recently in Visakhapatnam, Principal Secretary of Energy Ajay Jain said the government successfully implementing Power for All schemes ensuring quality power 24/7 to all the categories. Minimising the transmission and distribution losses also one of the reasons and AP is the first state in registering surplus power in South India, Ajay Jain added.

By VKL Gayatri