Top official refutes power cuts, power holiday reports in AP

Vijayawada: Special chief secretary (Energy) K. Vijayanand asserted that there are no power cuts anywhere in AP. Reports of power holidays given to industries are also untrue, he maintained.

Vijayanand explained that power demand has increased by 18 per cent in August this year compared to last year. Power utilities supplied increased power accordingly.

The senior official pointed out that the average daily demand in August was 230 million units, compared to 190 million units last year. Along with increased demand, dry conditions also increased power demand. In addition, authorities had encountered technical problems on August 30 and August 31, which the power utilities resolved.

Vijayanand underlined that the demand for power in the first week of September has averaged at 210 million units. Such demand for electricity is not only in AP but across the country. Power cuts are being implemented in states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

However, power utilities in AP are meeting the increased electricity demand. Authorities have purchased 40 million units as a precautionary measure anticipating power shortage in AP, the official stated.

Further, he said although the centre has given permission to buy a unit of electricity for up to ₹13, AP has bought a unit at ₹7.50. It has also taken measures to check shortage of coal.

Vijayanand said AP has sufficient coal reserves for September. It is ready to supply power according to the demand.