Repeat of Power crisis this summer for Telangana

This summer Telangana state is looking at another power crisis with electricity shortage already distressing agricultural and industrial users which will likely lead to power cuts as the temperature increases.

Demand for power against availability of 4,300 megawatts, Telangana is on the edge at about 6,000 mw but during the upcoming summer season, with the use of air conditioners, irrigation pumps used by farmers – the demand will climb to 7,300 mw.

Telangana has not been able to gather the additional power even after the state went through with the power agreements with private and public sector utilities, the reason is said to be the inadequate transmission network. On February 24, while interacting with US ambassador to India Richard Verma in Hyderabad, Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao discussed the power shortages in the state and said that the demands would be met by the end of the year.

The Kharif season had power cuts imposed to 4-12 hours in a day for domestic consumers while industrial users got 4-8 days in a month that resulted in business losses and industrialists rethinking over expansion of units.

This time, however, Power Ministry officials inform that due to the low demand from farmers, the power cuts may not be bring in as much impact as last year.

A senior official from the Power Ministry stated that farmers have provided a great level of comfort for the government by not going in for high water-consuming crops like paddy during the rabi season which had 40% fall. Also, that the government is likely to spare the power cuts for the agriculture sector during this rabi season said the official.

D Prabhakar Rao, Telangana State Power Generation Corporation chairman and managing director said that the demand supply is going to be better and the power is getting procured wherever available.