World Bank to lend Rs 2500 Crore to AP

Hyderabad, May 21 (INN): Impressed with the performance of the Andhra Pradesh Government and Power Utilities in implementing various pro-public initiatives of power sector like Renewable Energy and conservation, the World Bank has come forward to lend around Rs.2,500 Crores for taking up various developmental activities.

The World Band will lend funds for enhancement of Rural supply including feeder segregation, solar pumpsets, HVDS etc; Smart city including Under Ground Cables, GIS sub-stations, smart metering; Distribution strengthening investments including investments for new capital city; Transmission systems including net work strengthening and augmentation; Technical assistance and capacity building for operational efficiency improvement and Technologies upgradation including SCADA, sub-station automation, GIS mapping etc.,

The World Bank top officials have specifically appreciated the efforts of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu for reduction of Green House Gas emissions by enhancing various energy efficiency measures.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister has fixed targets in reducing the Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses to single digit by speed implementation of energy efficiency and green corridor projects in particular and strengthening of the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) network in general.

In another development with regard to Green energy corridor, the Central Government in a communication to AP Government on Thursday informed that KFW, German Bank has cleared all modalities for sanctioning Rs. 515 Crores at a concessional rate of interest towards green energy corridor. The state is contemplating to complete the Green energy corridor with an estimated cost of Rs. 1289 Crores with the support of Govt. of India and International financial institutions. GoI also has sanctioned a grant Rs. 515 Crores for evacuation of Wind power & green energy corridor.

Disclosing the above details, Energy Secretary Ajay Jain, who has very recently participated in the world energy efficiency forum held in Washington, DC and also discussed with World Bank team with regard to investments in power sector, today interacted with K Vijayanand, CMD/APTRANSCO & MD/APGENCO, Mutyalaraju, CMD/APEPDCL, HY Dora, CMD/APSPDCL and K.Ranganatham, Advisor, Energy Dept., on steps to be taken to expedite the above projects.

In a significant development in the area of Energy Conservation & Energy Efficiency (EC&EE) activities in the State, the Govt. of India which has recently selected the State of AP for Energy Efficiency Global Forum & Workshop by World Bank in Washington D.C, U.S.A. now selected AP for one more prestigious global event of 'Energy Efficiency Training Week' at Paris during 8th to 12th June for studying latest technologies in EE & EC. This programme is organized by the International Energy Agency (IEA) with coordination of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) to study the latest technologies in energy efficiency and the entire cost will be borne by IEA only. Keeping in view the pro-active approach of APSECM towards promotion of energy efficiency conservation activities in the State the BEE has recommended SECM to IEA the above event, Secretary, said.

Another novel idea for enhancing efficiency of power sector by power utilities is, providing of solar pumpsets for new agricultural services. Already funds have been tied up for erection of 4000 Nos. solar pumpsets in the state for this year and the project has been commenced. Orders were placed for 1500 Nos. solar pumpsets and 197 Nos. were already commissioned.