APERC Sets New Reliability Targets For Urban Power Supply Across Andhra Pradesh

The Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (APERC) has issued new practice directions to improve the reliability and quality of power supply in major urban areas across the state. The directions, released on May 20, 2026, focus on benchmarking key reliability indices for cities and towns having a population of more than one lakh. The move is aimed at ensuring better power quality and uninterrupted electricity supply for consumers.

Under the latest order, all distribution companies (DISCOMs) in Andhra Pradesh have been directed to provide round-the-clock electricity supply to all categories of consumers except agricultural consumers. The power supply schedule for the agriculture sector will continue to be regulated according to the guidelines issued by the Government of Andhra Pradesh from time to time.

The Commission stated that the directions are in line with the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020, notified by the Ministry of Power, Government of India. These rules require State Electricity Regulatory Commissions to establish target-based benchmarks for important reliability indicators such as the System Average Interruption Duration Index (SAIDI) and System Average Interruption Frequency Index (SAIFI). These indicators measure the duration and frequency of power interruptions faced by consumers.

Following a directive issued by the Ministry of Power in October 2025, APERC collected five years of historical data and future projections from the state DISCOMs before finalizing the reliability benchmarks. Based on population data from the 2011 Census and information submitted by the utilities, several cities and towns have been identified under the new framework.

Under APEPDCL, the identified urban areas include Visakhapatnam, Kakinada, Rajamahendravaram, Vizianagaram, and Eluru. APCPDCL will cover Gudivada, Machilipatnam, Chirala, Ongole, Guntur, Tenali, Narasaraopet, Vijayawada, Mangalagiri, and Chilakaluripeta. APSPDCL will implement the targets in Ananthapur, Kadapa, Proddatur, Kurnool, Nandyal, Nellore, and Tirupati.

APERC has also established a five-year trajectory from FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31 for reducing power interruptions on non-industrial 33/11kV feeders supplying these urban areas. APSPDCL has been instructed to reduce its annual SAIDI from 25 hours and 15 minutes to 24 hours and 30 minutes, while reducing SAIFI from 49 to 33 interruptions. APCPDCL must reduce SAIDI from 26 hours to 25 hours and 15 minutes and lower SAIFI from 47 to 31 interruptions. Similarly, APEPDCL has been directed to reduce SAIDI from 23 hours and 56 minutes to 23 hours and 51 minutes and lower SAIFI from 67 to 63 interruptions.

To achieve these targets, DISCOMs have been directed to strengthen infrastructure, upgrade systems, deploy advanced technology, and ensure the availability of skilled manpower. The utilities must also submit quarterly compliance reports to the Commission. APERC further warned that failure to meet the prescribed standards may result in compensation payments to affected consumers as per existing regulations.