PNS|Vijayawada
Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary and Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand have stressed the importance of expediting equipment supply to ensure the timely commissioning of APGENCO power projects and requested BHEL to supply the electrical and mechanical equipment for the Polavaram Hydro Electric Project (12x80MW) and the Lower Sileru Additional Units (2x115MW).
A review meeting was held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Vijayanand with APGENCO and BHEL to review the progress of electrical and mechanical equipment supplies for the Polavaram Hydro Electric Project and the Lower Sileru Additional Units.
The Chief Secretary requested BHEL to prioritise the completion of the Polavaram and Lower Sileru projects. He said that the Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Minister for Energy Gottipati Ravi Kumar are continuously monitoring the progress of these projects to ensure their timely execution.
BHEL assured the government of strict adherence to the supply schedules and committed to expediting deliveries for both projects to ensure timely commissioning. BHEL also agreed to investigate the causes of repeated rotor failures at Dr NTTPS Stage-V (800MW unit) and take prompt corrective measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply during peak summer. Additionally, BHEL committed to resolving the pending issues related to SDSTPS, Nelaturu, at the earliest.
APGENCO officials said that the Polavaram Hydro Electric Project, with its 12 large Kaplan Turbine units (each 80MW), is the first one of its kind in India. These units are capable of handling a substantial discharge of 335 cumecs. Upon completion, this project will generate 960MW of hydroelectric power, supplying approximately 23 million units per day. The estimated annual revenue from this powerhouse is Rs 1,250 crore, calculated at a unit price of Rs 5.
Officials further said that the Lower Sileru Extension Project is aimed at enhancing the peak power capacity of the existing powerhouse. It involves the addition of two 115MW units to the already existing four 115MW units. This extension will play a crucial role during peak summer months when the unit price exceeds Rs 10. Furthermore, these additional units will support the grid during emergencies, such as sudden drops in wind generation or outages of thermal units.
The State government reiterated its commitment to the successful and timely completion of these vital power projects, which are expected to significantly strengthen the State’s power infrastructure and support the energy demands of Andhra Pradesh.
The meeting was attended by senior officials from APGENCO and BHEL including KVN Chakaradhara Babu, MD APGENCO, M Sujaya Kumar, Director (Hydel), P Ashok Kumar Reddy, Director (Thermal), K Sadashiv Murthy, CMD BHEL, SM Ramanathan, Director (Engineering, Research and Development) and Pankaj Rastogi, Executive Director.
