Worst Ever Power crisis in Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad, India,30 November, 2012 –  Andhra Pradesh worst ever poser crisis with a severe demand –supply mismatch. As a result, there is 3 days power holiday in a week for industries but also cut in supplies to domestic consumers in all major cities of the state except for Hyderabad. Even Hyderabad was subject to 2 hrs. power cut daily till a month before. Industries association estimate that 30% cut in production due to these  power cuts. It and ITeS Industry association of A.P. estimate that the cost of production have increased by 60-70% due to this. Cities like Visakhapatnam, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Warangal are being subject to 3 hrs. of power cut every day.

 

The State has a power generation capacity upwards of 15,974 MW but one third of this 7892 MW is thermal or coal based, while gas based power generation capacity accounts for 3356 MW. Hydroelectric power generation  capacity 3839 MW and others account capacity for 1000 MW.

Devendra Surana, President of Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FAPCCI) said that industry are subject to power cuts for last 14 months but now the problem has intensified. There is 3 days power holiday and as a result cut back in production, lay off and led to shortages and increase in prices.

“What is the point in trying to revive growth when power shortage is driving away investing in industry? Wonders  Harry Dhaul, Director General of The Independent Power Producers Association of India. He also said that now shortage of Power of 7706 MW is A.P.

Power supply in the state has been on the downswing due to various reasons. Due to lack availability of gas. Gas is available from the KG Basin, but the availability to AP’s Power station is much less than required. Due to reason fall in production in KG Basin leading to lower availability . GAS based power capacity of 3356 MW only  generated at one third of their capacity.Hydroelecric total capacity of 3839 MW are only generating about 700 MW per day reason due to shortage of water in the reservoir.

Due to coal shortage , A.P. is importing coal of 1.6 million tons to use it for Thermal power stations . But there are not enough requirements for more and more. Thermal power stations are also working much lower capacity due to supplies of coal from the Mahanadi Collieries(Orissa) are not in adequate quantities. 

Power can be bought from the other state s and supplied in A.P. But limited transmission capacity can be transferred. Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra has surplus power but due to the limitation only 1000 MW power can be transferred. Since other states in South India like Karnataka, Kerala like states are facing have same power problems. The 1000 MW that can be transferred from the other states. State Govt. has to power promised to farmers for 7 hrs. a day has  gone towards declining  the situation.