Andhra Pradesh solar parks to add 1,300MW to power grid

 

The AP Energy department and Non-conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Limited [Nedcap] have been given 500 acre land in P. Kothapalli of Anantapur district, while the land for the one at Guntur is yet to be finalised.

 

The market value of each acre has been fixed at Rs 2 lakh and 10 per cent of the total marklet value per acre would be the lease amount to be paid by Nedcap. 

 

Officials said that the state which was reeling under 22 million units power deficit per day when the TD took charge two months ago, has as on date achieved almost zero power deficit. The power demand in AP is around 135 million units currently and it is almost being met without any scheduled power cuts, officials added.

 

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu has asked officials to focus on improving all forms of energy generation i.e., hydel, thermal, gas, solar, wind, bio-mass, and nuclear, and set them a target of generating at least 7,000 MW of power in the next five years. 

 

“When our government assumed office on June 8, the state was reeling under a power deficit of 22 million units a day. As on date, the deficit has become almost zero as we could draw additional power from NTPC (172 mw), Simhapuri (130 mw), other states (75 mw) and even the Krishnapatnam unit has started to function from July 25,” information minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said.

 

Stating that there are 2,551 “powerless” habitations in different districts of the state, he said they would be electrified in the next five years. “Agriculture is top priority and seven-hour uninterrupted supply would be given from October 2. Later, it would be extended to 9-hour uninterrupted supply,” he said.