Andhra reels under prolonged power cuts

Energy department officials called a meeting of industry associations to discuss the two-day power holiday and a schedule is likely to be announced on Tuesday.

Officials said that power consumption touched 210 million units,up from a demand of 175 million units last July,due to which the state is staring at acute power shortage in the coming weeks. The state is producing approximately 100 million units at present and supplementing the shortfall by purchasing power.

This is the fourth time in less than a year that the industry is being forced to observe power holidays. ”The government has made it clear that farm sector will be priority till the end of the agricultural season so there is no scope of negotiation,” said an industry association representative.

Officials said that a schedule of power cuts to industry in cities and rural areas will be announced shortly. The state-run Central Power Distribution Company of AP Ltd is likely to issue an advisory to consumers to minimize use of air-conditioners and electric cookers. The Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGENCO) is the third largest power utility in the country in terms of installed capacity at 6760.9 MW and its hydro installed capacity of 3586.4 MW is the highest in the country.