Solar power to light up homes

Canal top panels a first in AP

Eluru: The first canal top solar power plant of Andhra Pradesh has come up on Losari irrigation channel, near Yanamadurru village and 7 km from Bhimavaram town and will soon become operational.

Works on the one mW power plant began two years back across the Losari canal and will supply solar power to about 10 villages in Bhimavaram Mandal.

The construction has been taken up on the retaining walls of eight-meter width Losari canal. The canal-top project is being synchronised with Eastern Power Distribution Company (EPDCL) Limited’s 33/11 KV electrical substation in Gollavanitippa village.

As part of the delta modernisation, the Losari canal has developed from Undi main canal to Losari branch canal. The Losari canal will join the Upputeru near Gollavanitippa village. The retaining walls constructed during modernisation have now been utilised for the setting up of the plant.

The project taken up by NREDCAP was contracted to BHEL. The 400 kV power generation capacity power panels have been erected so far on a stretch of one km on the canal. Almost 70 per cent construction works have been completed.

NREDP District Manager D V Prasad told The Hans India that “The solar power plant is in its final stage. By this month ending the project will be completed”. He said that so far 40 per cent power has been supplied to the 33/11 KV substation at Gollavanitippa.

“We are planning to open the power plant in the first week of July. Solar power will reduce the burden on the power grid, he added. NREDCAP will get Rs 6.60 per unit through this plant.

By Ramachandra Sharma Gundimeda