Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu instructed the Energy Department to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) in power demand forecasting and use capacity planning tools effectively to make accurate projections.

Addressing a review meeting on Energy Portfolio Management System (EPMS) at the Secretariat on Thursday, Mr. Naidu said that power generation and distribution plans should be prepared in tune with the varying weather conditions by using AI and other emerging technologies. 

He emphasised on making proper analysis of last year’s power purchases and on its basis, forecasting the next year’s requirement in order to manage procurements from the open market. 

Officials told the Chief Minister that EPMS leads to substantial savings in power purchase costs for Discoms, and efforts are under way to use AI and Machine Learning for demand and price forecasting, market analysis, and bid management among other functions. The Chief Minister ordered that focus be laid on making pumped hydropower and battery energy storage projects operational as per schedules. 

Officials informed the Chief Minister that a sum of ₹705 crore was saved under the Revamped Distribution Sector scheme. Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, Chief Secretary K. Vijayanand and other senior officials were present.