The state government is spending a whopping Rs 2,000 crores to segregate agricultural feeders to cut transmission and distribution (T&D) losses. Experts say that by using solar energy for captive generation in between feeders, the huge T&D losses can be arrested.

However, instead of tapping into non-conventional energy options, the state is spending a huge sum to separate feeders. The T&D losses are approximately 20 per cent in the state and the government has planned to segregate feeders at the cost of Rs 3,500 crore.

Several proposals to set up windmills remain in cold storage

Non-conventional or renewable energy projects, which have become the topic of discussion these days following the acute crisis faced by the power sector, have not come up to the desired level in the State despite their vast potential. The State is by far an underperformer when it comes to tapping the renewable energy when compared to neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. This, according to experts, was primarily due to absence of foresight to exploit these sources for supplementing the power generation in the event of shortages.

The Andhra Pradesh State Cabinet has approved a new land policy framework which seeks to remove arbitrary allotment of land for industries.

In view of the current power crisis and power cuts throughout the state, the Energy Coordination Cell (ECC) of the energy department of Andhra Pradesh, has appealed to around 25 million consumers to save energy by releasing an open letter.

According to an ECC release, one unit of electricity saved is equivalent to 1.2 units of electricity produced. The energy conservation measures like arresting wastage of energy, including avoiding usage of air-conditioners indiscriminately, using solar heaters and replacing incandescent lamps with CFLs have a potential to save 10,000-15,000 million units.

The State is likely to get some relief from the power crisis in the coming days with the Centre reportedly asking the Coal India and Singareni Collieries Company managements to ensure supply of coal for generating 350 MW power to the fuel-starved thermal generation stations at Simhadri and Ramagundam.

Though the power utilities have not received any communication in this regard, the supply of additional coal would certainly give some relief by bridging the shortfall to the tune of 8 MU. It may, however, not help in overcoming the power shortage completely.

Chief Minister announces measures to tide over crisis

Faced with flak from all quarters over the government’s handling of the energy crisis, Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday said that the State had sought an additional 500 MW of power from the central power generation stations in the southern region. The government had also placed a request for allocation of as much power as possible from the un-allotted quota of 300 MW from the Kalpakkam atomic power station and 75 MW from Neyveli Lignite Corporation, both in Tamil Nadu, he said.

Andhra Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kanna Lakshminarayana is a leading a delegation of farmers’ leaders, politicians and non-governmental organisations to New Delhi to bring pressure on the Union G

Entering another important segment of the natural gas business, Reliance Industries Ltd and BP India are in talks with gas-starved power projects of Andhra Pradesh to supply long-term liquefied natural gas (LNG).

India Gas Solutions (IGS), the equal joint venture between the two companies, is looking to sell LNG to five power producers in Andhra Pradesh — GMR, GVK, Lanco Infratech, Sravanthi Energy and Konaseema Gas — and would give them term sheets in the next few days.

The city-based Atomic Minerals Directorate has identified new sources of uranium at Koppunuru in Guntur district and Bichun and Nayagaon areas of Jaipur district.

The Government of India has agreed to clear and approve sanctions for road projects proposals worth Rs 413.29 crore located in six districts of Andhra Pradesh.