Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), Jul 29 (PTI) APGENCO Managing Director S Nagalakshmi on Wednesday said power demand in Andhra Pradesh was expected to rise significantly in the coming months, with the prevailing El Niño conditions likely to impact consumption patterns.
She directed officials to maximise generation efficiency and ensure an uninterrupted power supply by operating thermal power units at their optimum capacity.
“Referring to the prevailing El Niño conditions, the Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation MD observed that electricity consumption in the state is likely to increase significantly in the coming months,” a press release said, quoting Nagalakshmi.
She directed engineers and technical personnel to ensure stable generation from all operational units so that the state grid can seamlessly meet the rising demand, it added.
During her visit to Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station at Ibrahimpatnam near Vijayawada, Nagalakshmi instructed officials to improve the Plant Load Factor by strengthening preventive and predictive maintenance practices.
She reviewed the progress of capital overhaul and renovation and modernisation works of Unit-5 of the power station and stressed the timely completion of the project.
Reviewing the performance of the 800 MW Stage-V supercritical unit, she described it as a key asset in meeting Andhra Pradesh’s growing power requirements.
She directed officials to operate the unit with maximum efficiency to strengthen base-load generation and improve overall grid reliability.
Highlighting the importance of fuel security, Nagalakshmi instructed officials to maintain coal stocks sufficient for at least 10 days of operations at all times.
She emphasised the need for close coordination with coal supply companies and the Railways to ensure uninterrupted fuel availability, particularly during periods of peak electricity demand.
Calling for greater adoption of advanced technologies, she instructed officials to strengthen sensor-based predictive maintenance systems to detect boiler tube leakages and equipment faults at an early stage.
Describing NTTPS as a backbone of Andhra Pradesh’s thermal power generation, Nagalakshmi said it was one of the largest power stations in the state, with an installed capacity of 2,560 MW.
The plant comprises six 210 MW units (Stages I-III), one 500 MW unit (Stage-IV) and one 800 MW supercritical unit (Stage-V).
El Niño is a climate phenomenon marked by the unusual warming of sea surface temperatures in the central and eastern Pacific Ocean, accompanied by changes in atmospheric circulation that can influence weather patterns across the globe. PTI STH SSK
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