The Andhra Pradesh government has promised to take up agriculture feeder separation in a phased manner to provide quality and three phase power to rural areas.
The promise which was made in the budget speech of Finance Minister Y. Ramakrishnudu in the Assembly on Wednesday also said the government was committed to supplying seven hours of free power to agriculture sector, which would be increased to nine hours progressively. A provision of Rs. 7,164 crore was made in the budget for power sector development.
An additional capacity of 2,925 MW was likely to be commissioned during the year from A.P. Power Generation Corporation, Central generating stations and independent power producers. The government had already permitted A.P. distribution companies to procure 2,000 MW on a long term basis. It was keen to tap renewable power potential of the State with special focus on solar and wind power to meet the growing demand in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The government would come up with a comprehensive new solar and wind policy to encourage the sectors to make capacity additions in the State. Around 3,000 MW of wind and 2,000 MW of solar power was proposed to be added in a phased manner. A sum of Rs. 5,000 crore would be spent for green corridor evacuation of wind and solar power.
Mr. Ramakrishnudu said the government had permitted distribution companies to procure 1,000 MW of solar power through a transparent and competitive bidding process. Two solar parks with a potential to generate 1,000 MW were proposed to be set up in Guntur and Anantapur. Focus would be on giving solar pumpsets to farmers and promote rooftop solar systems.
The State had been selected for Centrally-sponsored ‘Power for all programme’ which envisaged 24x7 quality, reliable and affordable power to domestic, commercial and industrial consumers within a fixed timeframe.
