Vijayawada: Chief secretary K Vijayanand emphasised that AP Genco must prioritise operational efficiency, timely project execution, and prudent financial management to meet the growing energy demands of Andhra Pradesh. He directed officials to closely monitor thermal and hydel power generation, ensure adequate coal stock, fast-track pending works at major thermal projects, and resolve financial dues to safeguard uninterrupted power supply across the state.Vijayanand reviewed the progress of various projects undertaken by AP Genco during a meeting with senior officials at Vidyuth Soudha on Monday. JMD of AP Transco Kirthi Chekuri, Genco directors P Ashok Kumar Reddy and M Sujaya Kumar, Transco directors A K V Bhaskar and J V Rao, along with other senior officials were present.Speaking at the meeting, the chief secretary noted that AP Genco and APPDCL achieved a 10% increase in thermal power generation in FY25, reaching 35,547 MU, compared to 32,219 MU in FY24. Hydel generation also witnessed a remarkable 95% growth during the same period. Appreciating the progress, Vijayanand instructed officials to sustain this trend through efficient planning and timely maintenance.He stressed the need to benchmark station-wise generation against historical best levels and take corrective measures in case of shortfalls. He reviewed units currently undergoing overhauls, such as Dr. Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS) Unit 7, and directed AP Genco and APPDCL to closely monitor performance and adopt preventive maintenance practices.Coal stock availability was a key area of focus. Plant-Level Coal Review Committees are playing a vital role in ensuring quantity, quality, and performance improvements. Vijayanand said AP Genco’s request for unified backdown instructions at RTPP units—given their identical variable costs—should be considered to address load variability and improve operational efficiency.The chief secretary also reviewed major projects, including Dr NTTPS Stage V (800 MW), RTPP Stage IV (600 MW), and Sri Damodara Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station (SDSTPS) Stage I (2×800 MW). He noted that while civil and mechanical works are progressing, efforts must be made to accelerate commissioning timelines. Specific issues in procurement, manpower deployment, and vendor coordination were flagged for immediate resolution.In the hydel sector, updates were reviewed on projects like Polavaram (960 MW), Lower Sileru (230 MW), and six pumped storage projects totalling over 6,000 MW. The Chief Secretary directed AP Genco to expedite the finalisation of DPRs, land acquisition, and statutory clearances to avoid delays.On the financial front, Vijayanand took note of outstanding dues faced by AP Genco and APPDCL, including coal payments, vendor dues, and debt servicing obligations. He instructed the finance teams to prioritise critical payments and improve cash flow to maintain operational stability. He underscored the importance of weekly monitoring, inter-departmental coordination, and timely execution.
