Power demand in AP goes up to 20 per cent

Tirupati, July 22 (UNI) An Acute power shortage had forced AP Transco to impose power cuts for four hours daily in towns and six hours in rural areas, Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Chairman and Managing Director P Gopala Reddy said today.

Talking to newspersons here, he said the power demand had increased to 20 per cent compared to last year.

The dry spell dealt a twin blow to the state by increasing the demand and crippling the efforts to generate hydel power. The power generated from Srisailam and other hydel units were not sufficient to meet the demand and the state was unable to purchase power, which would cost Rs 10 crore daily.

Global tenders were invited for purchasing power but the response was poor.

To a question, Mr Reddy said the power crisis would be resolved only by establishing nuclear power plants and such a plant was under construction at Srikakulam District.

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