Govt.of Andhra Pradesh Plans to Implement Solar Projects worth 10,000 MW

The state government has announced that it is planning to set up a mega solar power project with an installed capacity of 10,000 MW in order to meet the increasing demand for power and to supply free, uninterrupted power to the agricultural sector.

Addressing employees of the energy department after Republic Day celebrations, energy secretary Nagulapalli Srikant said that the project will guarantee an abundant supply of power to the agricultural sector.

The energy secretary noted that the number of agricultural connections in the state now stand at 18.1 lakh after the fresh addition of 25,000 connections. The department is planning to increase the number of connections by another 25,000 in the current fiscal.

Srikant further said that the government is working on various options to optimize its power purchase cost with a mix of power from thermal, hydel and renewable energy sources.

The objective, the energy secretary said, is to make power cost-effective and to contribute to industrial, agricultural and economic growth and improve the living standards of consumers.

In spite of severe financial constraints, the state government has allocated Rs 7,779 crore as subsidy for agriculture and aquaculture, said Srikant. The government has also strengthened human resource in the power sector by appointing 7,000 linemen and 175 assistant engineers.

Power utilities in the state have also saved Rs 500 crore through power purchase under open market bidding and Rs 180 crore in coal supply tenders. Srikant further noted that Stage-V of Vijayawada Thermal Power Station and stage-II of SDSTPS at Krishnapatnam will be commissioned in 2020, adding 1,600 MW capacity

The state government is prioritizing energy efficiency and energy conservation, he added.