Hyderabad:Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister and power minister Bhatti Vikramarka, on Saturday unveiled a new Clean and Green Energy Policy, targeting investments of `1.98 lakh crore and creation of 1.14 lakh jobs over the next decade.
The Cabinet had recently approved the policy, which aims to add 20,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy capacity by 2030, cementing Telangana’s position as a leader in the clean energy revolution.
The government came out with an array of incentives, including reimbursement of stamp duty for land acquisitions for green energy projects, electricity duty exemptions for MSMEs using solar and wind power for eight years, and streamlined approvals through the TS-iPASS system.
Additionally, the requirement for no objection certificates (NOCs) from the pollution control board has been eliminated, which significantly reduced procedural delays. The water supply charges for solar facilities will also be reimbursed.
Green energy plants can be developed on both private and government land, with the government offering land for lease at minimal cost. The state will refund its GST share related to capital investments in renewable energy projects.
The new policy promotes rooftop solar installations across government schools, public buildings, and Indiramma houses. The land designated for renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, pumped storage, and battery energy storage, will be reclassified as non-agricultural, with no limits on usage or requirements for land-use change permissions.
In a unique move, the policy will support women’s self-help groups to establish solar power plants with capacities ranging from 500 kilowatts to 2 MW. Discoms will purchase the electricity generated by these plants, ensuring a sustainable revenue stream to self-help groups.
The government has also prioritized establishment of floating solar projects on reservoirs, with sites allocated through competitive bidding. The open lands of Singareni would also be used for such purposes. Advanced renewable energy projects like wind energy centres and hybrid energy models, will also be promoted.
The state government also wants to set up a renewable energy incubation centre under the guidance of Transco or discom to foster innovation and encourage research and development in advanced clean energy technologies.
With Telangana’s electricity demand projected to reach 31,809 MW by 2034-35, the policy aligns with the state’s long-term energy needs. The government also approved open access to green energy by the industries and companies to purchase energy directly from green energy producers, bypassing government-owned distribution entities.
