Power supply curbs for industries in AP withdrawn

Vijayawada Following concern expressed from various quarters, the Andhra Pradesh Government has withdrawn the restriction and control (R&C) order notified by the APERC on a plea by the DISCOMs with effect from September 5 to 15.

TRANSCO CMD and Special Chief Secretary, Energy K. Vijayanand said the grid situation has improved following rains. He said the APERC order was issued on September 2 and clarified that there will not be any restriction on power supply for the industries.

Earlier, representatives of the trade bodies and entrepreneurs from various sectors expressed their fears over loss of production and clientele due to once a week power holiday and restrictions declared on power supply. The DISCOMs in their plea to the APERC had stated that they are unable to meet the demand due to short-supply and procuring power from external agencies has become very expensive.

Vijayanand said the power supply position has improved following incessant rains. Hence, there will not be any load-shedding, he said. The senior official said a total of 206.5 million units of power was supplied across the State on Sunday.

Due to load on the grid, power supply to the industries was slightly reduced on September 1 to ensure promised supply of power to the priority sectors like agriculture and domestic consumers. Officials said the DISCOMS approached the APERC for load shedding due to the prevailing situation at that time.

Meanwhile, following an emergency review meeting, the DISCOMS have decided to approach APERC with a supplementary request to withdraw the decision on imposition of restrictions on power supply to the industrial consumers.

The decision to withdraw the curbs on power supply has brought cheers among the industrial and trade bodies saying in future also such orders should not be issued. They said in case of shortage, proper planning should be done to tie-up with outside agencies to buy surplus power from them.