AP To Buy Power From Market After Srisailam Shutdown

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh government will procure 1 to 1.5 million units (MU) of electricity per day from the open market to meet the demand after hydropower generation stopped at Srisailam dam due to low water levels.

Power department officials said that the dam was earlier generating around 300 MW of hydroelectric power per day and was used to meet peak demand for around 7 to 7.5 hours in the evening.

Power consumption in the state varies with climatic conditions. Consumption on Tuesday hovered around 267 MU, while the highest previously recorded demand was 275 MU on March 7.

Alternative sources, including wind power, are available to make up for the shortfall, officials said. They added that electricity will be purchased from the open market, depending on demand and prevailing prices.

AP Power Grid director AKV Bhaskar said there will be no major impact on supply as alternative sources are available and additional power can be provided if needed during peak hours.

The government expects electricity demand to peak at around 280 MU in May.