Solar power generation in the State is set to increase with the APTransco being flexible in its policy, allowing entrepreneurs to bid for putting up plants to produce even one megawatt (MW) in the process, targeted at achieving 1,000 MW of generation through tariff-based bidding.
The last date for submission of bids to APTransco is February 7.
At a press conference here on Thursday, Niroj Mohanty, Managing Director, Core CarbonX Sols, a consulting company for those in the space of generation of power through alternate sources, said the shift in policy apart, new first-time investors were also motivated to enter the sector. This was also because of the reduced cost of generation from Rs. 16 crore last year to Rs. 8 crore per MW now.
He said the number of people convinced about green energy was on the rise too, with greater focus on the National Action Plan for Climate Change that envisages generation of 20,000 MW through solar sources in India, including 3,000 MW in AP. Currently, solar energy produced in the State is about 25 MW only, with thermal generation (coal, gas and diesel) contributing a maximum of 11,771.08 MW, hydel (3,734.53 MW), renewable sources (903.44 MW) and nuclear power accounting for 275.78 MW, totalling to 16,684.83 MW. This includes drawing of power from the Central Grid.
Mr. Niroj said that with the present encouraging scenario, about 100 policy-makers, scholars and business leaders in the field of solar energy would come together at the Hyderabad Solar Investment Summit 2013, for a comprehensive overview of the emerging solar market in A.P. The summit would be held on February 2 at the Marriott Hotel here. For registrations, those interested may contact 040-64102137.
