Naidu assures speedy clearances for Green Energy projects

New Delhi, Feb 15 (INN): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu assured investors in the Green Energy sector of speedy clearances, several exemptions and non-stop-plan-to-execution scheme for projects in the field.

Addressing the inaugural session of Renewable Energy Global Investors Meet and Expo (Reinvest) organized by the Power Ministry here on Sunday, Naidu explained his government's commitment to make AP and India surplus in energy within the next five years was irrevocable. He said a vast land bank, a committed bureaucracy, political will in AP only meant single window clearances for the investors and exemptions from all road-blocks and delay systems.

The call of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi for 'Make in India' would only be complimented by his own call for 'Made in AP', he said. Detailing his government's plans for establishing green energy environment in the State, he said the Government was interested in a hybrid power policy including solar and wind power generation plans.

Investors could straight away enter into tripartite agreements with the DISCOMS with the State Government announcing the power prices on its part. Business models were needed for the State to establish 13.5 lakh solar pumpset . Along with it, LED bulbs would have to replace the existing non-LED options, he said.

Andhra Pradesh was aiming at 8.5 billion rupee investment in Transmission and Distribution and a very large investment in Solar power. He assured the investors of safe journey for solar power producers as the Government realized the crucial nature of the power sector for the growth of the State. In the next 4-5 years, the State has to become power surplus, he said highlighting his target.

Union Minister for Energy Piyush Goyal expressed confidence that the country would achieve the power targets within the scheduled time frame. All that it needed was the cooperation of the State Governments' and Team India, as planned by the Prime Minister, would not fail the people of the nation.

He said coal block allotments had already taken off as promised and it would benefit the country immensely, both financially as well, in energizing power sector.

He welcomed the suggestion of Naidu that bundling of coal allotments with renewable energy resources and hoped other State Government's would follow suit. The Government of AP was ahead of even the Centre in implementing the plans and programmes in this direction, he said complimenting the Chief Minister.

The occasion also saw a clear bonhomie prevail between the Centre and the State with both the dignitaries praising each other for their astuteness and vision. While, Naidu's remarks on Goyal's efficiency led to an applause, the latter too hailed Naidu for being the quickest in implementing developmental programmes, especially the power sector.

When Goyal was referring to the fact that the present BJP Government required only four months to implement its coal block philosophy (in the allocation), Naidu was quick to point out that he had fighting for the same for the last 10 years, but no one listened to him.

Goyal said that was precisely the reason he was praising him to another round of applause. When Goyal promised to establish a power training institute (University to train students in managing power utilities and green energy etc) and sought land, Naidu was mercurial in announcing 'any amount of land' on the spot. 'You will have it in the first hour of next working day' (tomorrow)', Naidu said to the delight of the Union Minister and the audience.

A heartily laughing Goyal said, 'That is the difference between you and others. We wish all CMs are like you and cooperate with us in making us all a real team India. Hope Governments of say Karnataka and Delhi also join hands like this. It would only be wonderful for the country.'

Goyal further added that team India did not involve politics but only development and investors, financiers and industrialists should realize the same.

Naidu and Power Secretary Ajay Jain also addressed the concerns of the investors. Kambhampati Rammohan Rao, Special Representative of the AP Government and TDP MP C.M.Ramesh attended the function.

Later, the State Government inked MoUs 'to the tune of 4,000 MW (wind power) and 200 MW hybrid power systems and inaugurated the wind policy and solar policy. He invited the investors to come to Andhra Pradesh immediately without any hesitation and the whole Government machinery is in the hurry to clear all the proposals within 21 days, said the Chief Minister.