Power cuts to go on in all sectors

HYDERABAD: Continuous dry spell and delayed Kharif season has forced the energy sector to continue power cuts on almost all sectors of the society _ domestic, agricultural and industrial _ to manage the gap between supply and demand. At present, the power shortfall stood at around 25 mu (million units) per day.
Keeping in view the forthcoming Rabi season, the Kiran Kumar Reddy government has already placed orders with power exchanges and central generating stations to purchase up to 1,200 MW of power per day between January and May 2012 to avert power crisis during Rabi. As on date, about 700 MW of power per day is being purchased at an average price of ` 4.50 per unit to meet the demand.According to APTransco chairman and managing director Ajay Jain, the state is experiencing power shortage of about 1,000 MW (about 25 mu) each day. The Bhoopalapalli power plant (Kakatiya thermal power unit) of 500 MW capacity, has stopped functioning since October 7. Reduction in gas allocation by RIL has resulted in shortage of 250 MW of power and NTPC Simhadri plant is generating 650 MW as against its full capacity of 1,000 MW.