VISAKHAPATNAM: The Andhra Pradesh energy department has withdrawn all power supply restrictions and control measures that were imposed on industries.
According to an official statement issued by the energy department on Wednesday, the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission approved the Discoms' proposal to lift these restrictions. The energy department declared a sudden power holiday in April due to coal shortage, which severely affected the industries.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has recently issued directions, revising coal stocking norms at power generating stations in the country. The pithead generating stations will have to maintain coal stocks for 12 to 17 days, whereas the non-pithead stations should have it for 20-26 days.
Considering its recent experiences and CEA's guidelines, the Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation (APGenco) and Andhra Pradesh Power Development Company Limited (APPDCL) issued tenders to import 31 lakh metric tonnes of coal. This is to ensure continuous power generation and supply to all the sectors.
Energy minister P Ramachandra Reddy said that the state government has made its best efforts to restore normalcy in the power supply situation to industries. "The power utilities did not hesitate to purchase power at a higher price. The state government has constituted a core management team as well to monitor the coal supplies to the state," said Ramachandra Reddy.
The minister added that chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy frequently reviewed the power supply position in the state. "Jagan Mohan Reddy appealed to the Union government for adequate coal supplies to thermal plants in the state. Consequently, the energy department coordinated with the Union coal and railway ministries for ensuring improvement in coal supply," said Ramachandra Reddy.
The minister asked the power utilities to be on high alert as the coal supply position is still precarious in the country. He also directed them to lay special focus on power supply to the agriculture sector as the kharif season will begin soon.
