Andhra Pradesh Government Reaffirms Commitment to Uninterrupted Power Supply Without Tariff Increase
In a significant development for the state's energy sector, Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar has reiterated the government's firm commitment to ensuring quality and uninterrupted power supply to all consumers without any increase in electricity tariffs. The announcement came during the inauguration of the newly constructed APCPDCL corporate office in Vijayawada, marking a major step forward in strengthening the state's power infrastructure.
Modern Corporate Office Inaugurated in Vijayawada
Minister Ravi Kumar, along with Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand, APCPDCL CMD P Pulla Reddy, and Vijayawada MP Kesineni Sivanath (Chinni), officially inaugurated the state-of-the-art APCPDCL corporate office at Gunadala in Vijayawada on Wednesday. This impressive facility, constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 35-40 crore, spans a built-up area of 65,000 square feet and is equipped with modern infrastructure designed to enhance operational efficiency.
The new building has been designed on an innovative "Net Zero" model, incorporating advanced solar power systems and green technologies to significantly reduce energy costs while promoting environmental sustainability and carbon neutrality. This forward-thinking approach demonstrates the department's commitment to both operational excellence and environmental responsibility.
Government's Power Supply Strategy and Consumer Focus
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Energy Minister Ravi Kumar made several important announcements regarding the state's power policy. "The government will not hike power tariff charges under any circumstances," he affirmed, emphasizing that priority is being given to ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply and addressing persistent low-voltage issues that have affected consumers in various regions.
The minister outlined ambitious plans to improve consumer satisfaction levels substantially, aiming to elevate satisfaction rates from the current 80% to over 95% through enhanced service delivery and infrastructure improvements. This represents a significant commitment to customer service excellence in the power sector.
Strategic Power Management and Agricultural Support
On the crucial topic of agricultural support, Minister Ravi Kumar revealed that works under the PM Kusum scheme, which aims to provide free daytime power to farmers, would commence shortly. Tenders for this important initiative have already been finalized, signaling the government's readiness to implement this beneficial program for the agricultural community.
The energy department is adopting a sophisticated strategic approach to power management, purchasing electricity during low-demand periods and generating power during peak hours to prevent shortages and ensure consistent supply. This intelligent load management strategy has already proven effective, with the state successfully handling a record peak demand of 14,009 megawatts while ensuring uninterrupted supply of 275 million units during the challenging summer months.
Infrastructure Development and Transparency Measures
Special Chief Secretary K Vijayanand provided additional insights into the department's modernization efforts, noting that advanced software systems are being implemented to ensure complete transparency in power purchase and sales transactions. This technological upgrade represents a significant step toward greater accountability and efficiency in the state's power management operations.
The government is rapidly developing new substations across Andhra Pradesh to strengthen the power infrastructure network, with particular focus on improving reliability and addressing capacity constraints in growing urban and rural areas. These infrastructure investments are crucial for supporting the state's economic development and meeting the increasing power demands of both residential and commercial consumers.
Minister Ravi Kumar's announcements underscore the Andhra Pradesh government's comprehensive approach to power sector management, balancing consumer protection through tariff stability with substantial infrastructure investments and innovative operational strategies to ensure reliable electricity supply for all citizens.
