Regulator gives nod for load forecast plan for additional 5,182 MW capacity
The AP Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) today passed a significant order on the load forecast plan for the APTransco, which will pave way for setting up of four pending natural gas-based power projects in the state.
Its consent for the new load forecast plan estimates an additional capacity requirement of 5,182 MW by the year 2007-08, based on APTransco's plan to ensure 24-hour power supply to rural consumers as per the policy of the state government and the need to maintain 29 per cent reserve margin for reliable power supply.
The reserve margin, if implemented, may result in substantial power surplus in AP by 2007-08, causing an additional burden on the consumers, if all the proposed projects go through as scheduled and if the export plans do not materialise.
APERC order came at a time when the four gas-based power projects are awaiting its nod. These include 450-MW Gowthami Power, 432-MW Konaseema Power, 359-MW Vemagiri Power and 213-MW GVK Phase-II.
