VIJAYAWADA: Holding the previous YSRCP administration responsible for the recent increase in power tariffs, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday assured that he would protect consumers from any further hikes and pledged reliable and uninterrupted power supply.
Naidu was speaking at an event where he inaugurated a 400/220 KV Gas Insulated Substation (GIS) built at a cost of Rs 505 crore in Tallayapalem, Guntur district. The Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corporation established this first-of-its-kind facility in the state to provide uninterrupted, high-quality power to Amaravati.
At the same event, Naidu inaugurated four other substations, built at a cost of Rs 702 crore, and virtually laid the foundation stone for 14 AP Transco projects worth Rs 4,665 crore. The capital region currently receives power from the 220/132/33 KV Tadikonda center. However, with Amaravati’s development underway, the new GIS will meet future demand. Plans include constructing a 220/33 KV power station adjacent to the existing 400/220 KV facility at Tallayapalem, which will supply power to the 220/33 KV station planned for Nelapadu.
Additionally, the 132 KV center at Tadepalli will be upgraded to 220 KV, sourcing power from the Tallayapalem GIS to ensure robust electricity distribution across the capital region. These improvements are expected to provide an alternative to the Tadikonda station, ensuring reliable power for Thullur, Mangalagiri, Tadepalli mandals, Guntur, NTR districts, and supporting regional industries.
Addressing the gathering, Naidu highlighted his past efforts to modernize substations and reduce transmission losses. He praised the state’s adoption of solar energy and renewable initiatives, which have contributed to lowering the state’s carbon footprint. Describing the Tallayapalem GIS substation as a milestone in sustainable development, Naidu shared his ambitious goal to complete 12 substations and 10 new transmission lines within the next year.
Further, Naidu criticized the previous administration for neglecting the power sector, which he claimed led to penalties exceeding Rs 9,000 crore due to the cancellation of power purchase agreements (PPAs). He stated, “Before 2019, the unit price of electricity was Rs 4.70, but the previous government purchased it at Rs 7.61, incurring an additional Rs 3 per unit due to commissions.” Naidu highlighted that power rates have increased nine-fold, placing an additional burden of Rs 32,000 crore on consumers.
He also pointed out that the state incurred Rs 500 crore in losses due to unused wind power, while incomplete projects like Krishnapatnam, Vijayawada Thermal Power Station (VTPS), and the Polavaram Hydel Project further escalated costs. “We don’t want to dwell on the previous government’s mistakes, but funds were drained. Central funds were diverted, spending norms were not adhered to, and utilization certificates were not submitted. For instance, 45% of funds for the Jal Jeevan Mission and the state’s share were misallocated,” he alleged.
Present at the event were Guntur MP and Union Minister Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani; State Ministers Gottipati Ravikumar (Power), Ponguru Narayana (Municipal Administration and Urban Development), Nadendla Manohar (Civil Supplies), Kandula Durgesh (Tourism), Gummadi Sandhya Rani (Tribal, Women & Child Welfare); Tenali MLA Sravan Kumar; Special Chief Secretary (Energy) Vijayanand, and others.
