Power situation may ease after December 20

HYDERABAD: Though there is a fall in power demand as compared to previous months, the state still faces a power shortage of about 20 million units per day due to continuous dry spells and no hydel generation. At present, the energy sector is able to supply about 220 MU as against the demand of 240 MU per day.There has been no change in respect of scheduled power cuts for domestic and industrial sectors.According to APTransco chairman and managing director Ajay Jain, the power position is expected to improve by December 20 particularly after restoration of two thermal power plants- NTPC Simhadri and Kakatiya Thermal Power Plant, each of 500 MW capacity.To meet the power demand, about 600- 700 MW is being purchased from various power exchanges daily.In all, up to Rs 6 crore has been incurred towards power purchase every day.About Rs 405 crore was spent towards power purchase during the 42-day Sakala Janula Samme, when the fall in coal stock position at power stations, continuous dry spell and increase in power demand resulted power deficit rising to 40 MU per day.As for scheduled power cuts to manage the present shortfall, two hours of power cuts are being imposed in Hyderabad during the day, while it is four hours in district headquarters and municipal corporations and six in mandals and municipalities.In villages, there is only supply from 6 pm to 6 am. As for the industrial sector, one-day power holiday along with evening peak restrictions are being imposed from 6.30 pm to 10.30 pm.