Naidu to make AP destination for investment

Hyderabad, Nov 8 (INN): Andhra Pradesh Government aims to make the state as the best destination for industrial investments with successful & effective implementation of 24 x 7 power supply with a long-term and perfect plan to all existing & prospective industries including Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) which in turn paves way for employment generation and overall economic development.

The tremendous response received for Andhra Pradesh at CII summit at Benguluru and India Economic summit at New Delhi revealed that, the Andhra Pradesh has now become a central point for investments and National & International firms are showing keen interest to invest in IT, Automobiles, Electronic Hardware, Agro based Industries, Petro Chemical Industries, Chemical, pharmaceutical, Energy, etc because of credibility of the Govt. in providing water, infrastructure and in particular 24 x 7 power supply for industries, said Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

During the interaction before leaving for Kadapa tour with officials on impact of 24 x 7 supply and opportunities for new industries, the Chief Minister while responding to the briefing on clearing of pending HT & Industrial applications, said that 'no industry should suffer for want of power in future and 24 x 7 supply should be maintained at any cost, we will not tolerate even 24 minutes interruptions for any industry small or big in the interest of the public and economy of the State.

The power utilities have to put up all out efforts to optimize the generation, further strengthen the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) network, expedite the setting up of conventional & renewable energy power plants and effectively implement the Energy Efficiency & Energy Conservation programmes by adopting global practices.

Apart from this, procure maximum quantity of power to bridge the demand - supply gap on short & long term basis in a transparent way. Expenditure of procurement of additional power is not a constraint.

Govt. is prepared to bear the burden. What we want is to provide required quantity and quality power, which in turn protects the public interest'. He further suggested the utilities to go for underground cables in major cities & towns in place of over-head lines to reduce power interruptions and inconvenience to the people.

The Chief Minister assured industrial organizations like CII, FICCI, FAPCCI that, providing 24 x 7 power to industries is his top most priority and requested them to play a proactive role by giving suggestions, feedback to Govt. for encouraging industrial harmony and creating much more employment opportunities.

Power holidays are the past history and 24 x 7 quality power to industries is the present phenomenon, which has increased the credibility of the Govt.

G. Sai Prasad, Secretary to CM, informed the Chief Minister, that huge losses were incurred by industrial sector in the past due to the industrial power holidays to the extent of 3 days per week which has hampered the production worth of Rs.25,000 Crs during 2013-14.

As part of providing '24 x 7 power' to domestic & industrial sectors, Govt. of AP have recently entered into Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth over Rs.80,000 Crs, with MoP, GoI, NTPC, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) for setting up of 4000 MW Super Critical Ultra Mega Power Project at Pudimadaka in Vishakhapatnam district, 2500 MW Ultra Mega Solar Power Projects, promoting renewable energy, implementing Energy Efficiency & Conservation programmes, etc.

Govt. of AP assured the technological & industrial friendly atmosphere by providing all the facilities including 24 x 7 quality power supply & adequate water and urged all prospective industrialists to utilize the abundant opportunities made available in this resource rich and sun rise state, which is having a coastal line of around 1000 KM and 13 major/minor ports for easy facilitation of import and export of raw material & finished products. It is all set to transform the state as eastern gate way of India and an investment hub in the country, the Chief Minister said.