24x7 power supply to T farm sector from January 1

HYDERABAD: Telangana Transco, Genco and Discoms have made all arrangements to supply 24-hour uninterrupted power to 23 lakh pump sets across the state. As a new year gift to farmers, chief minister

K Chandrashekhar Rao

will inaugurate 24-hour power supply programme at 12.01am on January 1, 2018.

Expressing happiness for overcoming power problems, CM said Telangana had achieved rapid strides in power sector. “Telangana farmers have suffered under united AP regime due to lack of power supply. They were not getting even 3-4 hours of power. Major part of cultivation in Telangana region is dependent on borewells and the then government neglected it. We are already providing 24-hour power supply in three districts,” KCR said.

It is estimated that with 24-hour power supply, there will be gradual increase on the load and the demand could touch 11,000 mw by March. Arrangements of power supply to pump houses of lift irrigation schemes are underway and will start supply from June. Transco is expecting a higher demand due to 24-hour power supply to farm sector and also for lift irrigation schemes.

The power utilities have spent ?12,000 crore to strengthen distribution and supply systems. An awareness programme is being launched to educate farmers to remove their auto starters. Use of auto starters will result in depleting ground water.

Besides giving 24-hour power supply to farm sector, the electricity organisations are making plans to supply power to lift irrigation schemes, Mission Bhagiratha and to the new industries. With the steps taken by these organisations, the state could procure an additional 8,271 mw of power in the last three and half years.

As on date 14,845 mw of captive power generation is available. New plants are being set up to add an additional 13,000 mw in the future. By 2022, 28,000 mw of power will be available in the state.