Palle hints at Power Hike in Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh government is mulling over hike in power tariff for the year 2015-16 in view of the huge gap between revenue and expenditure in power generation and supply.

Briefing the newsmen after the cabinet meeting today at secretariat the Information and Public relations minister said the cost of power generation of required demand of 58,191 million units in the next year was assessed at Rs. 30,300 crore while a revenue was just Rs.22,590 crore in power distribution and sale . 'The gap is Rs.7716 crore including the power subsidies and free power 'he said.

The minister said the cabinet deliberated long on the prospects of power tariff hike but decided that it would not be affecting the interests of the poor population in the state.Government has advised the officials to reduce T&D losses, increase PLF and also contain thefts to reduce the burden, the minister said.

He said that the government has also decided to promote wind power and increase the generation from the present 897 MW to 4000 MW in next five years.Similarly it also wanted to promote solar energy generation from present `127 MW to 5000 MW in next five years