VIJAYAWADA: K. Vijayanand, Special Chief Secretary for Energy, underscored the critical need to boost renewable energy in Andhra Pradesh, announcing plans to solarize approximately 1,200 agricultural feeders with a combined solar capacity of 3,725 MW. This initiative, unveiled during the 78th Independence Day celebrations at Vidyuth Soudha, aims to provide free electricity to 1.96 million agricultural consumers.
Additionally, the government plans to solarize all state government buildings by December 2025, in collaboration with Central Public Sector Enterprises like NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVNL) under the Renewable Energy Service Company (RESCO) model.
Vijayanand reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring a reliable 24/7 power supply across all sectors, including free daytime electricity for agriculture. Efforts are focused on increasing power generation, enhancing transmission and distribution efficiency, and promoting green energy, electric vehicles, and overall energy efficiency to ensure uninterrupted power in the future.
He highlighted that the Andhra Pradesh Transmission Corporation (APTRANSCO) operates an extensive transmission network with 32,513 circuit kilometers and 370 substations, facilitating improved power transmission across the state. Electricity supply increased by 12.18%, from 72,466.28 million units in FY 2022-23 to 81,292.93 million units in FY 2023-24.
Cost-saving measures include a new 400KV HVDC Raigarh-Pugaluru-Thrissur line agreement, shared equally between the state and central governments, which is expected to reduce transmission utility charges and save Rs 24 crore annually. Additionally, a new agreement with SembCorp Energy India Limited is projected to save Rs 360 crore annually. Infrastructure projects funded by ADB and KfW banks, including the Vizag-Chennai Industrial Corridor and Green Energy Corridor, are also underway.