VIJAYAWADA : Andhra Pradesh, being a forefront state in the country in promotion of green energy, has set its goal on becoming a global powerhouse in green energy. The state government has already identified 29 locations for promotion of Pumped Storage Hydro Power Projects (PSP) with a potential capacity of 33, 240 mw.
The energy department has already readied Techno-Commercial Feasibility Reports (TCFR) for all the proposed 29 probable locations out of which the state government has allotted 15 pumped storage projects.
Addressing the gathering at Independence Day celebrations at Vidyut Soudha on Tuesday, special chief secretary (energy) K Vijayanand said the state government is giving priority for promotion of renewable energy power projects and has been rolling out multiple initiatives, programmes, policies and incentives to accelerate the development of the renewable energy sector.
“The proposed 15 PSP plants will generate about 16,180 MW that would contribute towards enhancing power generation capacities in state for ensuring 24×7 quality and reliable power supply even in future,” said Vijayanand.
He explained that PSP offers highest promise due to their flexible operation to balance the variable renewable generation in short span of time. Considering the huge capital investments required to establish PSPs, the government has notified Andhra Pradesh Pumped Storage Power Promotion Policy 2022 to attract private investments, said Vijayanand.
He said the state government has attached top priority for welfare of people in implementing Navaratnalu scheme under which 9-hour day-time free power is being provided to farm sector. With the strong objective of providing free power to agriculture for the next 30 years, the state government is going to procure 7,000 MW solar power from Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) in phased manner that would benefit 19.85 lakh farmers.
Vijayanand said they have also provided financial support to strengthen discoms with a subsidy of 41,820 crore in the last four years. He said they have also allocated land to the extent of 4,000 acres with project cost of 3,750 crore for construction of 750 MW solar power project in Kadapa. AP Genco MD KVN Chakradhar Babu, JMD vigilance B Malla Reddy and other senior officials were present.
