Rains cause Rs 101-crore loss to Andhra power infrastructure
VIJAYAWADA/ VISAKHAPATNAM: Torrential rains caused by a depression in the Bay of Bengal have significantly damaged the State’s power supply system.
Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand said restoration efforts are underway on a war-footing. On Sunday, he inspected the control rooms at Dr Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station in Ibrahimpatnam, APCPDCL, power substations and SLDC.
Speaking on the occasion, he said Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Energy Minister G Ravi Kumar are closely monitoring the situation.
“Regular updates are provided by APGENCO MD KVN Chakradhara Babu, APTRANSCO Joint Managing Director Keerthi Chekuri, and CMDs of Discoms, including Pattanshetti Ravi Subhash (CMD APCPDCL), Prudhvi Tej Immadi (CMD APEPDCL), and Santosh Rao (CMD APSPDCL),” he said.
Vijayanand directed APTRANSCO officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply, and emphasised that the public can report issues via the toll-free number 1912 or local control rooms. He commended the staff for their efforts despite the challenging weather. “The storm has caused an estimated Rs 101.838 crore damage to the power sector with APEPDCL facing losses of approximately Rs 16.85 crore and APCPDCL around Rs 84.998 crore.
Significant damage has occurred at the Dr Narla Tatarao Thermal Power Station, with mud accumulation and rainwater inflow disrupting operations.
The APGENCO MD explained that excessive water had submerged some conveyor belts and wagons, prompting the tripping of Units 1 to 6 to avoid technical issues and safeguard equipment.
Coal handling restoration is ongoing with Unit 5 has already been restored and Unit 6 and the remaining are expected to be brought online soon.
In Krishna and NTR districts, four submerged substations have been restored with alternative power lines as reported by JMD Keerthi Chekuri. Emergency Restoration Systems (ERS) have been deployed to Vijayawada, Rajahmundry and Srikakulam, and generators and drainage pumps are in place at all Extra High Tension (EHT) substations.
APCPDCL experienced significant disruptions in Vijayawada, Krishna and Guntur districts with 60 of the 33/11 kV substations affected and 51 restored. Additionally, 32 of the 37 damaged 33 kV feeders and 409 of 449 damaged 11 kV feeders have been repaired.
The APEPDCL CMD reported that restoration efforts are progressing rapidly. Of the 2,583 complaints received via the toll-free number 1912 and control rooms, 2,175 have been resolved in one day.
In APSPDCL, the impact has been less severe, but staff have remained fully alert, said CMD Santosh Rao.