AP plans 200 new substations to meet rising power demand

Vijayawada: Energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar said the govt is committed to improving the infrastructure, keeping in view the growing electricity demand in the state. He informed the assembly that the state govt initiated works worth Rs 6,000 crore for the construction of new substations in areas experiencing high electricity load.Responding to questions raised by MLAs Aditi Vijayalakshmi Gajapathiraju, Kolla Lalitha Kumari, and Muttumula Ashok Reddy during the question hour on Thursday, the minister stated that the govt identified the need for more than 200 new 33/11 kV substations in regions with heavy power demand and took steps to construct them accordingly. He said the construction of the Venugopalapuram substation in Vizianagaram district is currently under the re-tendering process and assured that the works will be completed by March 2027.The minister also informed the house that works related to 220 kV and 132 kV lines worth Rs 46 crore in Vizianagaram district were completed and are ready to be charged. In addition, works for the Venugopalapuram substation are progressing with an amount of Rs 77 crore.The minister, however, said underground cabling is an expensive system and clarified that the proposal to take up an underground cable system in Vizianagaram would be considered depending on the availability of funds and necessity. He stated that appropriate steps would be taken based on the feasibility report prepared by the energy department officials.The minister further explained that after the coalition govt assumed office, the establishment of industries in the state increased. As a result, daily power consumption is expected to rise from 263 million units to around 280 million units. Keeping the rising demand in view, the govt is taking steps to increase power generation and is constructing 400 kV, 220 kV, and 132 kV substations across the state.He also noted that a large number of agricultural electricity connections were provided to farmers. Power consumption increased due to growing commercial, industrial, and domestic requirements. The minister emphasised that the primary objective of the state govt is to ensure that there will be no shortage of electricity anywhere in the state in the coming years. Considering future demand and load growth, the govt is continuing the construction of 33/11 kV substations and power lines in all required areas across the state.