Vijayawada: Daily power consumption in Andhra Pradesh has come down after the cyclone-induced heavy rains, giving a major relief to the state government as it can avoid purchase of power.
Severe cyclone Arnab brought down temperatures in the last few days at a time when the people were reeling under sweltering heat conditions due to the influence of El Niño.
Power consumption in the state was at 170 million units on Wednesday and 200mu on Thursday against the peak demand of 288mu on May 21.
As the IMD forecast another spell of rainfall mainly in coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Yanam in the next four days up to November 3 in view of the formation of a low pressure area over the south Andaman sea and its neighbourhood, the demand for power may not be high.
AP has a base power generation availability ranging from 8,900mw to 9,100mw to ensure supply of power for 24 hours. In the event of a requirement of more power, solar power can be used during the afternoon and hydel-electric power at night.
The state has an installed total power capacity of nearly 21,800mw including 6,600mw from thermal, 1,780mw from hydel, 8,500mw from solar and wind, 2,000mw from central generating stations, 1,600mw from independent power producers and the remaining from other sources.
State energy authorities note that AP had signed a pact with power plants to get power up to August, 2027.
In the mid-October when AP was reeling under severe heat wave conditions, there was a huge demand for power due to usage of air-conditioners and air coolers in big way to beat the heat. While adequate power was not available in the open market to purchase for some states like Telangana, AP however appears to be in safe zone with MoUs signed to ensure supply of power.
Power cost varies from time to time. AP even purchased power at a cost ranging from Rs 15 to 20 per unit during peak hours. However, it purchases power ideally at a cost of Rs 6 to Rs 10 per unit during peak hours; and up to Rs 2.50 per unit during non-peak hours.
AP power grid director AKV Bhaskar said, “Daily power consumption has come down in the last few days in parts of AP as cyclone Arnab brought heavy rainfall and we can get power from power plants until August next with no worry even if the demand goes up again.”
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: deccanchronicle.com
