Andhra Pradesh: Power cuts for industrial sector from today

TIRUPATI/VISAKHAPATNAM: AP Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL) and AP Eastern Power Distribution Corporation Limited (EPDCL) have decided to reimpose power holidays for the industrial sector from April 8 to 22 to increase load relief for the domestic sector. Industries under the purview of APSPDCL and EPDCL have been told to impose one-day holiday along with a weekend holiday every week.In all, industrial units have to remain closed for 4-5 days during the 15-day period.
Stating that power holidays have become inevitable due to the increasing gap between demand and supply, APSDCL chairman and managing director H Haranath Rao said electricity distribution companies are working to supply nine hours of power to the agriculture sector, and uninterrupted supply to domestic and commercial consumers.
"Household consumption has increased by 5% due to the growing summer heat, and agriculture consumption has also increased by 15% due to the abundant availability of water. Similarly, commercial power consumption is also on the rise as industrial activity has picked up," he said, adding that there is a shortfall of 12,000 megawatt units, as only 2,000MW is available at power exchange as against the requirement of 14,000MW.
EPDCL CMD K Santosha Rao said power is being controlled and saved due to emergency load relief which has been adopted by all states. "Only 2,000 megawatts power is available at various times blocks in the country between 6 pm to 6 am as against the required capacity of 14,000MW. The CM has asked us to ensure uninterrupted power supply to household consumers and farmers," Rao said. He asked advertisement hoardings and signboards not to use power between 6 pm to 6 am.