AP moves towards clean energy, focuses on strengthening power supply: Energy Minister
Tirupati, Oct 6 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on Tuesday said the state was moving towards clean energy while efforts were being made to ensure quality and uninterrupted power supply to consumers.
Reviewing the functioning of the Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL), the Minister said agreements had been entered into for projects with a total generation capacity of 100 GW and the projects were under implementation.
He said reduced hydropower generation due to the El Nino effect had increased the state’s dependence on thermal and solar power.
Measures were being taken to address power shortages, with officials and staff working to strengthen the power sector, he said.
Ravi Kumar said recruitment to 629 Assistant Executive Engineer posts was underway to address manpower shortages in the power utilities and improve consumer services.
He said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu was reviewing measures to improve power services and install rooftop solar systems in the houses of six lakh SC and ST consumers under the PM Surya Ghar scheme.
He directed officials to complete the works on time and warned of action against negligent contractors.
According to MNRE statistics cited by the Minister, APSPDCL had installed one lakh rooftop solar systems at the houses of SC and ST consumers within six months.
He said Andhra Pradesh had secured fourth position nationally in rooftop solar installations.
The Minister directed officials to expedite works to strengthen the distribution network under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and feeder-level solarisation under PM-KUSUM.
He said the latter would help provide nine hours of daytime power supply to farmers.
Ravi Kumar also directed officials to strengthen the 1912 Electricity Consumer Service Centre and ensure prompt resolution of consumer complaints.
He called for measures to prevent electrical accidents, particularly in residential areas where power lines were within easy reach and at locations with transformers in unsafe conditions.
He also directed officials to adopt measures to prevent theft of agricultural electricity transformers.
The Minister instructed officials to provide faster services to industrial and agricultural consumers and avoid making consumers visit offices repeatedly.
He also directed officials to expedite land acquisition for substations in view of growing power demand.
During the meeting, Ravi Kumar handed over appointment letters to 46 persons appointed under the compassionate appointment scheme in APSPDCL.
He said appointment letters had earlier been issued to 50 persons on December 22 last year and 18 persons on April 24 this year.
With the latest appointments, 215 persons had been provided employment under the compassionate appointment scheme in APSPDCL since the formation of the coalition government, he said.
The Minister urged power sector employees to discharge their duties responsibly and contribute to the development of the organisation.
TNT LE
