HYDERABAD: Impressed by the successful implementation of High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) in Andhra Pradesh, the government of Karnataka is contemplating adopting the AP model to reduce power distribution losses and improve voltage profile. The power utilities of Karnataka have undertaken a preliminary study on HVDS in the jurisdiction of AP Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd, Tirupati and will send a team of experts again next month.
Karnataka chief secretary SV Ranganath and Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission chairman MR Sreenivasa Murthy have lauded the Andhra Pradesh model and advised all electricity supply companies (ESCOMs) in Karnataka to adopt HVDS to ensure supply to agri pumpsets.
The Andhra Pradesh government, keen to implement HVDS vigorously and provide seven hours of free power supply to over 30 lakh agricultural pumpsets, has drawn up a fiveyear action plan to provide much more satisfactory power supply to farmers. As part of the plan, the energy department is implementing HVDS in a phased manner at a cost of 1,154.80 crore.
Incharge principal secretary (energy) J.Raymond Peter, who has discussed the scheme with APTransco CMD Ajay Jain and other senior officials, sought a detailed report on the impact of HVDS which is aided by the Japanese Bank of International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in reducing the power transmission losses.
Transco joint managing director K.Ranganatham, in his presentation on "Case study: Reduction in AT C losses through implementation of HVDS in Andhra Pradesh' at a workshop in Bengaluru, explained how HVDS brought down low tension (LT) losses under four substations _ Kottur, Murakambattu, Patnam and Bangaru Palem _ in Chittoor district.
In the first phase, power utilities implemented HVDS for 6.97 lakh pumpsets by availing loans. Ranganatham said farmers stood to gain from improved voltage profile and power supply in areas where HVDS was implemented. It also helped prevention of burnout of pumpsets, he claimed.