Andhra Pradesh has set a deadline to restore an 800 MW generating unit at the Sri Damodaram Sanjeevaiah Thermal Power Station in Nellore district, as rising electricity demand increases pressure on the state power grid.
S. Nagalakshmi, managing director of Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation and chairperson of the Andhra Pradesh Power Project Development Company, directed officials and contractors to accelerate the ongoing capital overhaul of Unit-1 at the plant. She instructed them to complete the pending work and synchronise the unit with the grid within the stipulated timeframe.
Nagalakshmi issued the directions during an inspection of the 2,400 MW station at Nelaturu in SPSR Nellore district. The facility has three units of 800 MW each. She visited the boiler area, turbine floor and other sections of the plant to review progress on the maintenance work.
The inspection comes as the state power system faces increased demand and pressure to maintain adequate generation capacity. The restoration of Unit-1 would return 800 MW of installed capacity to the grid, although the source report does not specify the unit’s exact restoration date or the duration for which it has been unavailable.
While asking officials to prioritise the remaining work, Nagalakshmi cautioned that faster execution must not compromise engineering quality or safety standards. She directed the plant management to enforce prescribed safety procedures, particularly in critical maintenance areas, and stressed the need for accident-free operations.
At a review meeting with senior officials, she assessed measures aimed at improving plant performance and generation capacity. The management has approved proposed Plant Betterment initiatives, which are intended to improve operational efficiency and electricity generation, according to the report.
Nagalakshmi also linked operational discipline and preventive maintenance to the organisation’s financial position. The report did not provide details of the approved initiatives, their estimated cost or the expected increase in generation from the measures.
Fuel logistics were another focus of the review. During discussions with officials of Krishnapatnam Port, Nagalakshmi stressed the need to prevent delays in berthing coal vessels meant for APPPDL and APGenco power stations. She directed port authorities to accelerate coal unloading and improve coordination for railway rake movement to support timely coal transportation and uninterrupted fuel supplies.
The chairperson later met representatives of employee unions, staff associations, contract workers’ unions and neighbouring villages. She received representations concerning service-related matters and local issues and said genuine grievances would be examined under the applicable rules. The next stated milestone is the completion and grid synchronisation of Unit-1 within the stipulated deadline.
