Latest news with #ChBaburao
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Discoms in AP spend nearly ₹3,500 cr on short-term power procurement from exchanges
High-volume power purchases from exchanges by the distribution companies (DISCOMs) are placing a significant financial burden on consumers. In the last fiscal year, the DISCOMs spent nearly ₹3,500 crore on short-term power procurement from exchanges — exceeding limits set by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC). Despite a surplus in installed power capacity, utilities are frequently shutting down state-run generation plants citing maintenance or technical issues — while resorting to costly exchange purchases. These short-term buys have escalated the sector's debts due to astronomical prices. Instead of making use of its own generation plants, the power utilities are often resorting to power purchases citing sudden demand increase or technical glitches in the operation of the plants. According to the affidavit filed with APERC, the power utilities disclosed that they purchased 5282 million units from the open market during 2024-25 financial year. This caused a massive burden as the procurement cost is around 6.78 per unit. The power utilities spent close to ₹3,580 crore exclusively for the purchase of power. The discoms have already collected ₹2787 crore from the power consumers on the pretext of FPPCA charges during the last fiscal and raised a request for collection of another ₹870 crore. In fact, the discoms revealed that they have purchased 8617 million units of power through short-term purchase during 2022-23. Surprisingly, APERC put a cap at 3675 million units for short-term purchases during 2022-23. However, the power utilities purchased 8617 million units at a cost of 9.62 per unit. The discoms spent close to ₹6670 crore for the purchases in a single fiscal year. Subsequently, the discoms simply transferred ₹6000 crore burden to the commoners in the name of FPPCA charges. The situation further deteriorated during 2023-24 when the discoms purchased a whopping 11,753 million units from the exchanges. "They have spent close to 8972 crore for power purchases from exchanges causing massive burden on the commoners," said CPM leader Ch Baburao. In fact, APERC allowed the discoms to purchase only 1551 million units. However, the power utilities purchase almost 10,000 million units over and above the cap fixed by the APERC. The discoms transferred nearly 9,412 crore burden to the commoners due to the short-term purchases. "The forecasted grid demand varies due to weather conditions and the forecasted generation vary due to outages of thermal generation or variation in renewable energy generation. In order to balance the load-generation on real time basis, the APDISCOMs overdraw/under draw from the grid. Also when there is shortfall in declared availability vis a vis the grid demand, DISCOMs are procuring shortfall from power markets, exchanges/e-bidding portal in order to ensure 24X7 power for all. A quantum of 5282.96 MU @ 6.79 per Unit was procured under short term/market. A quantum of 9 64.88 MU was sold through short term at a cost of 4.45 per unit," explained SPDCL Chief General Manager (CGM) V Sobha. CPDCL CGM K Venkata Krishna said that the availability of thermal stations decreased by 2056.56 MU(8.00 per cent) when compared to approved availability. Accordingly, the energy despatch from APGENCO thermal stations is also decreased by 1,490.75 MU than the approved quantum. He said that a quantum of 5282.96 MU @ 6.79 per Unit was procured under short term/market," said CGM.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Discoms in AP spend nearly Rs 3,500 crore on short-term power procurement from exchanges
Vijayawada: High-volume power purchases from exchanges by the distribution companies (DISCOMs) are placing a significant financial burden on consumers. In the last fiscal year, the DISCOMs spent nearly 3,500 crore on short-term power procurement from exchanges — exceeding limits set by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC). Despite a surplus in installed power capacity, utilities are frequently shutting down state-run generation plants citing maintenance or technical issues — while resorting to costly exchange purchases. These short-term buys have escalated the sector's debts due to astronomical prices. Instead of making use of its own generation plants, the power utilities are often resorting to power purchases citing sudden demand increase or technical glitches in the operation of the plants. According to the affidavit filed with APERC, the power utilities disclosed that they purchased 5282 million units from the open market during 2024-25 financial year. This caused a massive burden as the procurement cost is around 6.78 per unit. The power utilities spent close to 3,580 crore exclusively for the purchase of power. The discoms have already collected 2787 crore from the power consumers on the pretext of FPPCA charges during the last fiscal and raised a request for collection of another 870 crore. In fact, the discoms revealed that they have purchased 8617 million units of power through short-term purchase during 2022-23. Surprisingly, APERC put a cap at 3675 million units for short-term purchases during 2022-23. However, the power utilities purchased 8617 million units at a cost of 9.62 per unit. The discoms spent close to 6670 crore for the purchases in a single fiscal year. Subsequently, the discoms simply transferred 6000 crore burden to the commoners in the name of FPPCA charges. The situation further deteriorated during 2023-24 when the discoms purchased a whopping 11,753 million units from the exchanges. "They have spent close to 8972 crore for power purchases from exchanges causing massive burden on the commoners," said CPM leader Ch Baburao. In fact, APERC allowed the discoms to purchase only 1551 million units. However, the power utilities purchase almost 10,000 million units over and above the cap fixed by the APERC. The discoms transferred nearly 9,412 crore burden to the commoners due to the short-term purchases. "The forecasted grid demand varies due to weather conditions and the forecasted generation vary due to outages of thermal generation or variation in renewable energy generation. In order to balance the load-generation on real time basis, the APDISCOMs overdraw/under draw from the grid. Also when there is shortfall in declared availability vis a vis the grid demand, DISCOMs are procuring shortfall from power markets, exchanges/e-bidding portal in order to ensure 24X7 power for all. A quantum of 5282.96 MU @ 6.79 per Unit was procured under short term/market. A quantum of 9 64.88 MU was sold through short term at a cost of 4.45 per unit," explained SPDCL Chief General Manager (CGM) V Sobha. CPDCL CGM K Venkata Krishna said that the availability of thermal stations decreased by 2056.56 MU(8.00 %) when compared to approved availability. Accordingly, the energy despatch from APGENCO thermal stations is also decreased by 1,490.75 MU than the approved quantum. He said that a quantum of 5282.96 MU @ 6.79 per Unit was procured under short term/market," said CGM.
Hans India
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
CPM protests installation of smart meters
Vijayawada: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) is intensifying its agitation against the hike in electricity charges and the imposition of smart meters in Vijayawada. The party has announced a 'Maha Dharna' on July 4 to press its demands. Senior CPM leaders, including State Secretariat Committee member Ch Baburao, toured Prakash Nagar in Vijayawada's 62nd division and Ajit Singh Nagar in the 59th division, listening to residents' grievances. They held public meetings to protest the electricity adjustment charges and the installation of smart meters. Local residents expressed their frustration, stating that instead of a reduction in electricity bills under the current coalition government, they are now burdened with four types of additional adjustment charges. Many reported that their families are being charged nearly double the additional adjustment fees every month. In Prakash Nagar, residents complained that old meters were being removed and prepaid smart meters were installed near the electricity sub-station under the guise of 'meter repair,' without their consent. They termed this as deceptive and unjust. Nagendra Raju, a resident of Ajit Singh Nagar's Luna Centre, voiced his anger, stating that his flour mill's monthly bill shot up from Rs 6,000 to Rs 26,000 after a smart meter was installed. He told the CPM leaders that despite appealing to electricity officials, he was told to pay the bill first and only then would his complaint be investigated. Raju also claimed that officials were giving 'lame excuses' about capacitors causing the increased bills. Addressing the public, Ch Baburao criticised the coalition government, stating that it is unbecoming for a government that came to power promising to reduce burdens to instead increase electricity charges. Baburao urged the public to actively participate in the movement against smart meters and electricity burdens. 'Obstruct and resist smart meters in every street,' he declared. He reminded that TDP leaders, when in opposition, had called for smashing smart meters but are now ordering their installation, thereby 'changing their words and betraying trust.' 'Governments may change, but policies remain the same,' Baburao stated, emphasising the need for unity among people to prevent Adani's exploitation. The CPM pledged to continue their agitation until electricity charges are reduced. CPM leaders BRamanarao, K Durgarao, Ch Srinivas, Peer Saheb, Nagaraju, Punnaiah, Basha, Appanna, and others participated in Monday's foot march.
Hans India
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
CPM protests demolition of Satavahana College
Vijayawada: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday spearheaded a protest and dharna programme here, condemning the demolition of Satavahana College. Women, students, and youth actively participated in thedemonstration, raising slogans to protect Satavahana College and its valuable land. The protest stemmed from the late-night demolition of the college building by bulldozers. When CPM leaders attempted to inspect the site, they were reportedly obstructed by police, who denied them entry, citing lack of permission. Protesters escalated their actions by climbing the gates and tearing down banners erected by private individuals, creating a tense atmosphere. Addressing the gathering, CPM State secretariat member Ch Baburao and State committee member Donepudi Kasinadh criticised the demolition. 'We have never witnessed such an incident in Vijayawada's history, where college buildings are brought down by bulldozers in the dead of night, right in the heart of the state capital, surrounded by ministerial offices and the Chief Minister's residence,' stated Baburao. He further alleged that the government has turned a blind eye while encroachers, with apparent government backing, have illegally seized the nearly 55-year-old Satavahana College which has the assets worth Rs 200 crore. 'Initially, former TDP MLC Alapati Rajendra Prasad was accused, and the government machinery remained passive. Now, another party has demolished the college in the dead of night,' he said. Baburao raised concerns about the future of students and faculty. The CPM leaders reiterated that the land is under Urban Land Ceiling, meaning it does not belong to private owners. Therefore, the CPM demanded the government to immediately take possession of the college run it as a government college. The CPM leaders accused all involved parties of colluding to plunder the college and its land. CPM State committee member K Sridevi, city secretaries B Ramana Rao and Boya Satyababu, P Krishna, and city leaders T Praveen, Vishnu, Korada Ramana, Chandrashekar, Suribabu, Peeru, Jhansi, Nageswara Rao, Asha, and others participated.
