Amaravati, Sep 23 (PTI) Andhra Pradesh Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar on Wednesday directed power utilities to remain on round-the-clock high alert and take all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply across the state amid a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal.
Kumar held a review meeting on the preparedness and operational status of the state power sector and took stock of the prevailing weather conditions, power supply situation and preparedness measures.
“Kumar directed APTRANSCO and all DISCOMs to remain on high alert round the clock and take all necessary measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply across the state,” a press release said.
He instructed officials to mobilise restoration teams immediately wherever required and ensure that power supply was restored at the earliest in the event of any localised disruption.
The minister directed officials to continuously monitor feeder-wise breakdowns, restoration works and load conditions through their corporate monitoring centres and provide regular updates until the situation returned to normal.
Kumar directed Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited officials to maintain adequate coal stocks at thermal power plants to ensure uninterrupted power generation.
K Vijayanand, Special Chief Secretary, Energy, apprised Kumar of the current status of the state power network and said the high-voltage transmission network continued to remain robust despite the adverse weather conditions.
All Extra High Tension substations and high-capacity power transformers across the state continued to remain in service, with no structural damage or breakdowns reported, he said.
Due to the adverse weather conditions, isolated tripping was reported in 18 circuits in the 400 kV, 220 kV and 132 kV categories, Vijayanand said, adding that APTRANSCO’s rapid response teams immediately took up restoration work and recharged 8 feeders.
He said intensive line patrolling and restoration work were continuing in Eluru, Visakhapatnam, Rajamahendravaram, Vizianagaram, Tirupati and Kadapa circles to restore the remaining 10 circuits to normalcy.
In the north coastal region of the state, which was the most affected by the deep depression, 3,600 personnel had been mobilised in 266 specialised teams for emergency response and restoration works.
In view of the possibility of the depression intensifying further before crossing the coast in the South Coastal region, the Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Ltd had strengthened precautionary measures in Nellore and Tirupati circles.
Kumar stressed that the safety of consumers and field-level personnel must remain the top priority during adverse weather conditions.
He appealed to the public to remain extremely cautious in view of the prevailing weather conditions and stay away from snapped electrical wires, damaged poles, transformers, waterlogged electrical equipment and installations. PTI STH SSK
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