Telangana is set to cross the 5000 MW solar power generation capacity by 2019 , more than the 1300 MW installed capacity at present. This, officials said, was because the state adopted a distributed development model which is supported by the Centre. Under this system, solar project developers are offered opportunity to develop units based on the demand-supply situation with minimal operational losses.
The renewable energy capacity of the state will touch 3000 MW by this year end as projects which have been tendered and are under execution, are expected to be commissioned as per schedule. These projects were awarded during 2015 and are expected to come on stream before December 2017. The state government has signed power purchase agreements for 3800 MW of power from these units and all of them are expected to be operational by March-June 2018.
By touching 3000MW-mark, the state will also cross another milestone of achieving over 15% of total energy contribution from renewable energy sector. Currently, Rajasthan, which generates 1300 MW solar power, tops the list in the country with the highest solar power generation. Unlike other states, Telangana has not opted for mega solar parks but has planned for a decentralized model wherein it assesses the extra demand in different parts of the state and floated tenders accordingly. The state government also seeking to encourage setting up of mini solar plants close to transformers so that it could help provide power to agriculture sector with less transmission and distribution losses.
“The per capita consumption in Telangana has gone up to 1,390 units per annum as against 1,100 units. Consumption in Telangana ranks high among States. The 24×7 power supply has started giving dividends in the forms of improved living standards and increased industrial production,” D Prabhakar Rao, Chairman and managing director of Telangana Transco and Genco told STOI.
Betting high on rooftop solar power installations, the state government recently erected a 900- kilowatt solar power installation at Raj Bhavan, one of the biggest such installations in the state. Incentives are offered to households who opt for rooftop panels to harness solar power which includes subsidy on the panels.
Taking advantage of this, scheduled caste development department has proposed to set up 3MW capacity rooftop installations on 230 residential schools maintained by the department. Enthused over the success of its model, state is planning to come out with a new solar-wind hybrid policy to accelerate the growth of the renewable energy sector.
Source: TOI
