5-point plan to strengthen power sector

HYDERABAD: With special focus on agriculture and industry which are crucial to state economy, the state government is planning to adopt a five-point programme to strengthen power sector and provide adequate power supply to all categories of consumers. Further, the government is aiming at ensuring that the requirements of agriculture, industry and domestic consumers are met to the extent possible.After taking charge as the principal secretary for energy here on Thursday,  Dinesh Kumar presented a five-point programme. The proposed programme emphasises to step up power generation to bridge the gap between demand and supply.  Apart from strengthening the transmission and distribution (T&D) network, it also proposes to reduce T&D losses. Dinesh Kumar also instructed the officials to focus on promotion of energy conservation in a big way and introduce more consumer welfare initiatives.The power generation in sixth stage of KTPS-500 MW which was synchronised to the state grid in March last at an estimated cost of Rs 2,325 crore is expected to go commercial by end of this month. Similarly, the commercial operations of the sixth unit of the Jurala Hydro Electric Project commenced on Thursday, increasing the total capacity of Jurala Project to 234 MW.Meanwhile, the APTransco is contemplating to reduce the T&D losses to 17.10 per cent by March next year. Besides augmenting additional power generation, strengthening the T&D system and steps to contain wastage of precious electricity, the government appointed a high-level committee to promote energy conservation measures in a big way. The government is also committed to provide avenues for consumer welfare by strengthening over 300 customer service centres in both rural and urban areas.