AP to strengthen power sector with global tech

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Minister for Energy Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy on Sunday advised power utilities to explore leading innovations and global technologies for strengthening the power sector and ensuring highest quality and reliable round-the-clock power supply.

Referring to a report from Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the Minister for Energy Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy stated that new investments of Rs 24,956 crore have come into the State in the previous two and a half years and 129 new mega units have made agreements to invest in the State from January 2020 to June 2022.

In this scenario, the minister emphasised the importance of AP power utilities exploring leading innovations and global technologies for strengthening the power sector and ensuring highest quality and reliable round-the-clock power supply, which is critical for industrial promotion in light of many future investments.

According to the minister, the government views energy as a critical component of industrial growth. The State might compete with other States in attracting industries, investments if it provides energy of the highest quality and at world-class standards, which requires the adoption of new creative technology.

The minister authorised the energy department to develop an immediate special mechanism to raise the present round-the-clock power supply to the highest global standards. During a virtual conference with the officials of energy department, the minister said that Chief Minister's efforts to strengthen the energy sector will help convert the State into a flourishing economy and industrial hub.

"The Chief Minister's aim is to enable every household to benefit from affordable power, which will assist to enhance economic and living standards," the Minister said.

The Minister said that "economic activity in the State is increasing. Several locations in the State have seen significant increase in energy use. Visakhapatnam is a classic example, with power usage growing year after year in the Visakhapatnam circle. Consumers also exceeded forecasts. When we look at the data from the last five years, we can see how power use is growing."

"In 2018, there were 13.38 lakh energy customers in Visakhapatnam circle, yet they utilised 30.52 lakh kilowatts of electricity. Looking forward to July 2022, the number of users has climbed by 28.27 per cent to 17.17 lakh, but electricity consumption has increased by 45.72 per cent to 44.48 lakh kilowatt-hours," he said.

The Special Chief Secretary energy K Vijayanand along with CMD APTRANSCO B Sreedhar, JMDs Prudhvi Tej B Malla Reddy, CMDs of DISCOMs K Santhosha Rao and J Padma Janardhana Reddy, directors of Transco Bhaskar and Murali and Nedcap MD S Ramana Reddy, explained to the Energy Minister about the first of its kind initiative of AP power utilities in recent times in organising a capacity building programme with national energy experts by utilising the services of Delhi based renowned institute TERI(The energy and resources institute), for training the power sector professionals to enhance technical knowledge on new technological developments happening in the power sector and administration skills of senior officials for overall sector development and also to ensure the sector's sustainable development.