Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar directs APTRANSCO, APGENCO and DISCOMs to ensure uninterrupted power supply and maintain emergency preparedness amid cyclone threat.
Amaravati: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar has directed APTRANSCO and all DISCOMs to remain on high alert round the clock and take all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply across Andhra Pradesh, in view of the depression prevailing over the West Central Bay of Bengal and the possibility of worsening weather conditions.
The Minister reviewed the preparedness and operational status of the State's power sector at the Secretariat on Wednesday. Special Chief Secretary, Energy, K. Vijayanand, IAS, along with senior officials of APTRANSCO, APCPDCL, APEPDCL and APSPDCL, briefed him on the prevailing weather situation, power supply status and preparedness measures.
During the review, the Minister assessed the status of transmission and distribution networks, availability of emergency restoration teams and equipment, feeder-wise interruptions, restoration works and precautionary measures being taken in coastal and low-lying areas.
Gottipati Ravi Kumar directed APTRANSCO and all DISCOMs to keep adequate manpower, equipment, machinery and materials positioned at strategic locations in advance. He instructed officials to mobilise restoration teams immediately wherever required and restore power at the earliest in the event of localised disruptions.
He also directed the utilities to continuously monitor feeder-wise breakdowns, restoration works and load conditions through their corporate monitoring centres and provide regular updates until the situation returns to normal.
The Minister stressed the need for close coordination with the Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) and District Collectors to ensure effective response during emergencies.
The Minister directed Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGENCO) to maintain adequate coal stocks at all its thermal power plants to ensure uninterrupted power generation.
Officials were instructed to take all necessary measures to prevent disruptions at GENCO thermal plants and maintain continuous generation. The Minister also directed GENCO to enhance generation in line with prevailing demand and ensure adequate availability of electricity across the State.
He specifically instructed officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply to domestic, commercial and industrial consumers without causing inconvenience to consumers.
The Minister further directed officials to procure power from external sources at the lowest possible cost, depending on prevailing demand, while ensuring adequate availability of electricity.
He stressed continuous monitoring of coal stocks, power generation and demand to ensure that sufficient power is available to meet consumer requirements across Andhra Pradesh.
Special Chief Secretary, Energy, K. Vijayanand briefed the Minister on the status of the State's transmission network and said the high-voltage network remained robust despite adverse weather conditions.
All Extra High Tension (EHT) substations and high-capacity Power Transformers (PTRs) across the State continued to remain in service, with no structural damage or breakdowns reported.
However, isolated tripping was reported in 18 circuits belonging to the 400 kV, 220 kV and 132 kV categories due to adverse weather conditions. APTRANSCO rapid response teams immediately took up restoration works and recharged eight feeders.
Transmission lines in the CRDA, Guntur, Ongole and Nellore circles have been restored 100 per cent. Intensive patrolling and restoration works are continuing in Eluru, Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram, Vizianagaram, Tirupati and Kadapa circles to restore the remaining 10 circuits.
Power operations continued largely without interruption in the APCPDCL jurisdiction covering Krishna, NTR, Guntur, Bapatla, Palnadu, CRDA, Prakasam and Markapuram circles.
Field inspections found no damage to EHT substations, 33/11 kV substations, 33 kV and 11 kV feeders, Distribution Transformers (DTRs) or LT lines.
Power supply to domestic, commercial and agricultural consumers in urban, mandal and rural areas continued normally.
Divisional engineers, special teams and operating staff have been kept available at their respective headquarters round the clock to respond immediately to any deterioration in weather conditions.
In the North Coastal region under APEPDCL, moderate rainfall was reported in Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Parvathipuram Manyam, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli and Alluri Sitharama Raju circles.
APEPDCL has established 30 division-level control rooms and a 24/7 corporate monitoring cell to coordinate field operations.
A total of 3,599 personnel have been mobilised into 266 specialised teams for emergency response and restoration works.
All affected 33 kV and 11 kV feeders in Visakhapatnam were restored within a few hours. Of the 2,037 non-agricultural service interruptions reported, 1,429 connections have already been restored, while work on the remaining connections is continuing.
The Minister directed APEPDCL officials to intensify field-level patrolling in areas where weather conditions could deteriorate further and position restoration teams in advance wherever necessary.
He also instructed field officials, control rooms and district administrations to maintain continuous coordination.
APSPDCL has strengthened precautionary measures in Nellore and Tirupati circles in view of the possibility of the depression intensifying before crossing the coast in the South Coastal region.
Round-the-clock control rooms have been established at circle and division levels, while emergency helpline numbers have been publicised through local media.
Field engineers have been instructed to hand-trip vulnerable feeders in advance wherever necessary to prevent electrical accidents during strong winds and waterlogging.
Leave of employees in vulnerable areas has been cancelled, while de-watering pump sets have been kept ready at substations located in low-lying areas.
Distribution Transformers, conductor coils and electrical poles required for immediate restoration have also been pre-positioned at strategically selected district stores.
Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar stressed that the safety of consumers and field-level personnel must remain the top priority during adverse weather conditions.
He directed officials to strictly follow safety protocols during restoration works and ensure that field personnel are not exposed to avoidable risks.
Field staff have been instructed to continue round-the-clock monitoring and restoration activities until the weather system passes and the power network returns to normal.
The Minister appealed to the public to exercise extreme caution amid the prevailing adverse weather conditions.
People have been advised to stay away from hanging or snapped electrical wires, damaged poles, transformers, waterlogged electrical equipment and installations.
He cautioned the public against approaching inundated substations or switchgear under any circumstances and urged people to immediately inform the nearest DISCOM control room in the event of an electricity-related emergency.
Gottipati Ravi Kumar said APTRANSCO, APGENCO and all DISCOMs were fully prepared to respond immediately if weather conditions intensified further.
Emergency teams, equipment and materials have been kept ready for rapid deployment wherever required. Round-the-clock monitoring, coordination, power generation and restoration activities will continue across the State until the situation returns completely to normal.
