AP bets on renewable energy to meet goals

VISAKHAPATNAM : Anticipating a further increase in the electricity demand, the state energy department has focused on transformation of the sector.

The annual energy consumption in the state has increased by over 31% in the last six years – from 50,077 million units in 2017-18 to 65,830 MU in 2022-23. The power utilities met the all-time high per-day energy demand of 251 MU on May 18.

As part of meeting the future energy demand, the state government has taken measures to enhance power generation installation capacity in the state. The government has laid special emphasis on increasing the renewable energy generation capacity that would help the state ramp up its power generation capacity.
Special chief secretary (energy), K Vijayanand, said the government has already announced a renewable energy export policy 2020 to establish wind, solar, and hybrid projects to strengthen the energy sector. “Besides, pumped hydro storage projects with a capacity of around 33 GW have been planned both on river and off river sites. With the completion of these projects, AP will be number one in the power sector in the country and can export surplus power to other states. This will also ensure that the power becomes cheaper and cleaner which ultimately fulfils the objective of the state government to provide cost effective power to consumers in the state.,” said Vijayanand.

“Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and energy minister Peddireddi Ramachandra Reddy are keen on providing reliable power supply to consumers and free power to agriculture. The government entered into an agreement with the Solar Energy Corporation of India to procure 7,000 MW of solar power to continue the 9-hour daytime free power to agriculture for the next 25 years,” added Vijayanand.

APGenco managing director KVN Chakradhar Babu said the Genco is supplying around 102 to 105 million units per day to the state grid. “This is around 40 to 45% of the total energy demand and is highest ever after bifurcation of the state. The Genco is making all-out efforts to improve coal stocks and is also ensuring cost effective and efficient generation of power at better heat rate and optimisation of fuel resources. APGenco will strive hard to be the best organisation at national level in power generation and maintaining the highest plant load factor,” said Chakradhar Babu.

Source : TNN