Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park dedicated to AP

Hyderabad, July 12 (INN): In order to provide 24X7 quality and reliable power supply to the industrial sector and to achieve self sufficiency in power sector, the Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to give a fillip to the renewable energy sector in the state. The State government is planning to establish 5030 MW of solar & 4150 MW of wind energy projects in the next five years to meet future power requirements and protecting environment and ensuring low carbon growth.

Accordingly, the power utilities have been asked to complete these projects on a mission mode, strictly following the time schedules.

In a significant development in the power sector, the union government has assured Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu that, to dedicate the entire 1000 MW solar plants in Kurnool District to Andhra Pradesh only, which will immensely benefit the state. This will be the second 100 per cent dedicated 1000 MW power plant of the State, after 1000 MW Simhadri thermal power plant which was established in the 90s. The Solar park in Kurnool is developed in bundled power scheme to which matching thermal power to the extent of 500 MW would also be clubbed with 1000 MW Solar to ensure reasonable tariff which is going to be the average of Thermal & Solar. The Centre has also assured to dedicate 90% of the Anantapur Ultra Mega Solar Park for which the first phase of 250 MW will be completed by March 2016 and remaining 750 MW by Dec 2017.

The Union Government also agreed and assured CM to fully support AP Government for making state as Renewable Energy hub in the world. For this, Piyush Goyal, Union Minister of Power assured the Chief Minister CM on Friday at New Delhi. With the co-operation and support of Union Government, the state Government is going to establish an Energy University for focusing mainly on Research orientation and development of Energy Efficiency, Energy Conservation, Renewable Sources. Initially Energy University will have Post Graduate, Ph.d and Research Application courses for the first time in AP. The funding for the Prestigious Energy University will be borne by Andhra Pradesh Government/ Power Utilities (1/3rd of funding), GoI Public sector undertakings such as NTPC, PGCIL, PFC, REC etc. (1/3rd ), Top level and highly reputed private institutions of Power sector (1/3rd ) for linking the university with the practical and Industrial Applications.

Disclosing the above, Ajay Jain, Secretary (Energy, I&I Dept) said the CEOs of prominent companies like Fuji Electronic Company Ltd., Mitsubhishi Motors Corporation etc., have hailed the 24 X 7 power supply and felt that this would attract more foreign investments to the state for economic development and employment generation. The Japanese multinational Companies have evinced keen interest to establish 20 Gigawatt (20,000 MW) solar power plant in A.P.

Ajay Jain, who accompanied chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on his four day tour of Japan, said the Government has focused on enhancement of power generation in both conventional and non-conventional sectors besides increasing energy efficiency in a big way. Thus, the Government has decided to make Andhra Pradesh as 'power cut free state'.

Ajay Jain who has reviewed the status of RE sources stated that, in addition to the above 2000 MW of Solar, the Government has accorded clearance to APGENCO for setting up of 500 MW solar park. Keeping in view the potentiality of Solar energy available, the Government is further contemplating to establish another 500 MW solar park in Anantapur District. The Solar parks in AP are the one of the biggest solar parks in the world and also the only biggest solar park in Asia.

During the meeting K. Vijayanand, CMD/APTRANSCO said that 2 Nos. 400 KV sub-stations at Kurnool and Ananthapur ultra-mega solar parks will be commissioned to evacuate the above said solar power. K.Ranganatham, Advisor, Energy, G. Adhisheshu, MD/Solar Power Corporation and M. Kamalakar Babu, MD/NREDCAP have also participated in the meeting.