Andhra Pradesh: Govt plans 10,000 MW solar project

Vijayawada: The state government 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 here on Sunday, energy secretary Nagulapalli Srikant said that the project will ensure an abundant supply of power to the agricultural sector.

The energy secretary noted that the number of agriculturalconnections in the state now stand at 18.1 lakh after the recent 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 optimise 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.

Despite 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 prioritising energy efficiency and energy conservation, he added.

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