Date:12/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/12/stories/2008061257810400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Power generation at Srisailam stopped

Special Correspondent

Move to facilitate repairs to dam; Transco told to buy power from outside

HYDERABAD: The Government has decided to stop power generation from Srisailam hydro-electric station to facilitate the Irrigation Department undertake vital repairs to the dam and its crest-gates ahead of the flood season.

As this will lead to a daily shortage of 10 million units of power, Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy ordered AP Transco to meet this shortfall by purchasing power from the Power Trading Corporation and other sources outside the State. The cost of power to be purchased from outside works out to Rs. 7 to 8 a unit.

Contingencies

Accordingly, AP Transco is planning to purchase 317 million units from external sources, using funds (Rs. 266 crore) earlier to meet such contingencies. Generation has already been stopped from the Srisailam left bank power house which accounts for an installed capacity of 900 MW and steps have been taken to close the 770 MW right bank powerhouse too next week. The latter is currently generating about 10 million units a day. At full capacity, the two powerhouses can generate over 30 MU a day.

The repairs of the dam and the gates will take at least a month to complete. Reviewing energy-related issues here on Wednesday in the light of the onset of the monsoon, the Chief Minister ordered Singareni Collieries to supply at least 10 rakes of coal every day to AP Genco for four days from now to supplement the stocks at its 21 thermal plants in the State.

Timely supply of coal

Briefing reporters, Energy Minister Mohd. Ali Shabbir said this decision would facilitate normal generation of 70 million units a day at the thermal units during the monsoon. In the face of a shortfall in coal supply, there would have been a shortage of 5 million units a day.

The Minister disclosed that AP Transco purchased power worth Rs.1,000 crore from external sources since March and averted power cuts. It managed the situation even during the peak summer months when the energy demand crossed 195 MU a day.