Vizag records 22% increase in power consumption; indicates heightened economic activity

Power consumption in Vizag has increased by 22 percent in three years.

The city consumed 6,696 million units of electricity in 2018-19. It increased to 8,164 MU in 2021-22. It is the highest growth rate recorded for any city in the state. The demand and consumption of power indicate heightening economic activity in the city,

As many as 10 gas-insulated substations have been constructed in the city for supplying electricity to industries in Visakhapatnam. Similarly, the energy demand in Andhra Pradesh for July 2018 was around 5,081 MU, whereas the demand for July 2022 was over 5,312 MU.

Special chief secretary (energy) K Vijayanand said the state government is implementing the Andhra Pradesh Disaster Recovery project to install underground power cables in Visakhapatnam at a cost of about Rs.720 crore. "The project has been taken up with the financial assistance provided by the World Bank," said Vijayanand.

"Ujjwal Bharath, Ujjwal Mahotsav, programme was conducted at 52 locations in all the 26 districts of Andhra Pradesh. The programme received an overwhelming response from the key stakeholders as well as the general public. The central government officials were impressed with the arrangements and appreciated the Andhra Pradesh government for the efforts in organizing the Ujjwal Bharat programme in an effective manner," said Vijayanand.

Meanwhile, the state government has directed the energy department to prepare a comprehensive action plan to improve public participation in the power sector. Their increased participation is expected to strengthen the sector, enhance consumer services, and make the welfare schemes under Navaratnalu more successful. Conducting substation level meetings with the consumers may be included in this plan