Andhra Pradesh government is mulling over hike in power tariff for the year 2015-16 in view of the huge gap between revenue and expenditure in power  generation and supply.

Briefing the newsmen after the  cabinet meeting today at secretariat  the Information and Public relations minister  said  the cost of power generation of  required demand of  58,191 million units in the next year  was assessed at Rs. 30,300 crore  while a revenue was just Rs.22,590 crore  in power  distribution and sale . 'The gap is Rs.7716 crore  including the power subsidies and  free power 'he said.

The minister said the cabinet deliberated long on the prospects of power tariff hike but  decided that it would  not be affecting the interests of the poor population in the state.Government has advised   the officials to reduce T&D losses, increase PLF and also contain thefts  to reduce the burden, the minister said.

He said  that  the government has also decided to  promote  wind power and  increase the generation from the present 897 MW to 4000 MW in next five years.Similarly it also wanted to promote solar energy generation  from  present  `127 MW  to 5000  MW in next five years

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