In an attempt to boost the energy might of Andhra Pradesh, the state government has entered into a Memorandum of Understandingwith Suzlon Energy and Axis Energy Groupfor the setting up of 4,000 MW projects in the state. Secretary (Energy) Ajay Jain, Suzlon Company Chairman Tulsi Tanti, Axis Energy Group MD K. Ravi Kumar Reddy signed on the MoU in the presence of Chief Minister Sri N. Chandrababu Naidu.
Under this MOU, Suzlon and Axis companies will set up solar, wind and hybrid plants with an estimated production capacity of 4,000MW in Anantapur and Nellore districts, in the next five years. They will also facilitate for the setting up of 1,000 MW wind turbine generators. In this regard, a skill development center will be set up in Anantapur. It has been estimated that these projects will provide 8,000 direct and 25,000 indirect employment opportunities for the people.
That apart, SuzlonEnergy will also provide guidance for the setting up of Energy University that will soon come up in Amaravati. A Board on Renewable Energy will also be constituted. Within 5 years of the projects’ begin functioning, the state government will have 4,000 MWof green power. Due to this, over 64.47 lakh MT of Carbon emissions can be averted.
The Chief Minister expressed happiness over signing of the agreement and hoped that both sides begin working immediately on the said projects. He said: “The union government aims to achieve 1.75 lakh MW of renewable energy by 2021; inthis, Andhra Pradesh aims to achieve 1.18 lakh MW.” By 2021-22 the state government aims to tap renewable energy in order to reduce carbon emissions by 252 lakh metric tonnes, he added. Secretary (Finance) Dr. P.V. Ramesh, Secretary to CM Sai Prasad and other officials were present.
