Grim power situation in AP

Andhra Pradesh is passing through a deep power crisis, perhaps the worst-ever in the history of the State. Energy generation touching all time low and demand reaching its peak, there appears to be no solution in sight for the current situation.

The ruling dispensation not willing to purchase power from neighboring States at a higher price and unlikely increase in resources for domestic generation of energy, the State is set to pass through hard days.

Following scant rain fall during this monsoon, reservoirs are almost empty leaving the hydel generation in dimness. With the coal shortage haunting thermal power plants, this sector too is hit hard belying the hopes of the administration.

Though till recently, the Government pinned hopes on the gas-based power generation, this too is shirking by the day. Gas production on the Krishna-Godavari basin is going down everyday leaving the power plants in the lurch. Though the State Government has recently spent some nominal funds to purchase liquefied natural gas (LNG), it has gone on a platter as the Reliance stood in the way of gas purchase.

While Jurala is contributing major share in the hydel generation of power, only four MUs of power is being produced at Srisailam. Only 14.8 MUs is being generated at both these units as against the 26.4 MUs during the corresponding period last year. If the water level further dips in Jurala project, the power production will be hit further and it may touch as low as 5 or 6 MUs.

When this is the poor condition of the hydel power plants, the situation on the thermal front too is not rosy. The production has touched as low as 87 MUs this season as against the 103 MUs during the corresponding period last year. Against this backdrop, unofficial power-cuts are heavily being implemented in all parts of the State. In cities like Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada , Tirupathi and Warangal, daily four-hour power cuts, in district headquarters town it is six-hour cut while mandal headquarter are experiencing eight-hour power cuts and rural areas are in the dark for 12 hours in a day. Though all this is official, unofficial power-cuts are no surprise, particularly in the district and mandal headquarters towns. Villagers are hardly getting any power supply.

On the other hand, demand for power supply is increasing heavily. Approaching harvesting season, more demand for industrial sector and other factors are playing major role for the steep increase in demand.

Farming sector continues to draw power from several sources. In an agri-based country like India, this sector can hardly be given a go-by and hence the needs of the farmers should be addressed.

Industrial segment too can not be ignored. In fact, it is this section that attracts better attention against the backdrop of Chief Minister N Kirankumar Reddy’s oft repeated promise of providing lacks of jobs to the educated unemployed in the State. With the heavy power cuts already in place, some units are closed and more are facing closure threats. As a result, thousands of employees are already thrown onto the roads and more likely to lose their jobs

What is surprising is that the Government is showing little interest to purchase power from other States. The power companies have officially declared that they could not meet the seven-hour supply for farm feeders.

The gloomy situation will further worsen if urgent measures are not taken. The State Government should urgently focus its attention on this or the State will be thrown into darkness or it will take years to restore the situation.

-Prasad@sakshipost