Andhra Pradesh purchased 1,047.78 million units power in April

Andhra Pradesh Government paid Rs 36.24 crore in March and Rs 34.08 crore in April as an average cost in electricity procurement per day. To solve the power crisis in the state, it bought 1,268.69 million units power in March, for Rs 1,123.74 crore, while in April, the state purchased 1,047.78 million units power for Rs 1,022.42 crore. In order to cater the rising demands, the state has announced agreements with Solar Energy Corporation of India to procure 45 mu power in three phases in three years: 18 mu in first and second phase each, and nine mu in the third. The state government has directed the AP GENCO-run plants with maximum efficiency and ensure the plant load factor capacity to run at 85 percent, so that quality power can be given at low cost. As per reports the state has also started the pilot phase of the agricultural connections scheme to cater the power situation, the direct benefits transfer (DBT) which was successfully implemented in Srikakulam district. Under the DBT, the government deposits the entire amount towards electricity bills in farmers’ accounts, which will then pay for the power utilities. In 2020-21 fiscal year, 101.51 million units were consumed by 26,083 individual connections in the district; in 2021-22, the number of connections increased to 28,393, but the power consumption was only 67.76 million units. According to officials, the remaining amount was saved due to reforms in the power sector and the DBT scheme.