Andhra Pradesh Government plans solar power to farmers

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has been making efforts to supply free power to agricultural sector by developing 10,000 MW solar power project to reduce additional burden on Discoms as well on the State exchequre.

The State government called for tenders on November 30 and five agencies filed 24 bids. The bids process will be completed by February 2021. For the first time the state govt has been following transparency in inviting bids as per the guidelines of judicial preview.

The State govt planning to save Rs 48,800 crore using solar power in the coming 30 years and for supplying uninterrupted power to agricultural sector.

As per the AP electricity regulatory commission 18.37 lakh agricultural power connections are present in the state and the farmers are consuming 12,221 million units per annum. The Discoms suffered huge losses as the previous TDP govt failed to release subsidy to the Discoms. Whereas the state govt sanctioned Rs 8,354 crore towards subsidy to power sector during 2020-2021. The state govt is planning to develop the solar power plants in West Godavari, Chittoor, Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa and Prakasam district by developing solar parks. The govt issued orders in February this year empowering AP energy solar corporation Limited to produce 10,000 mw solar power. The solar power generation will help to reduce the generation cost of power in a big way.

In addition, the solar plants will help to prevent pollution. The state govt will be able to generate 600 mw solar power in Chakrayapet, M Kambaladinne and Pendlimarri of Kadapa district.

In Prakasam district the plant will be set up in Rudrasamudram and CS Puram and in Anantapuram at Uruchintala and Mudigubba. In Kurnool district the ultra-solar power plant with 600 mw capacity coming up in Kolimigundla.

The solar plants will help to improve power supply to agricultural sector and pave way for development of agricultural sector. It may be noted that the state has been providing financial assistance to farmers by distributing Rs 13,500 per annum under Rythu bharosa scheme. Once the 10,000-mw solar power plant comes into operation, the agricultural sector will get uninterrupted power supply benefiting the farmers in a big way.

The Plan

♦ The State govt planning to save `48,800 crore by using solar power in the coming 30 years and for supplying uninterrupted power to agricultural sector

♦ The State govt is planning to develop the solar power plants in West Godavari, Chittoor, Anantapur, Kurnool, Kadapa and Prakasam district by developing solar parks.

♦ The State government called for tenders on November 30

♦ The bids process will be completed by February 2021.

♦ State plans solar power generation to benefit agricultural sector