The State government has decided to put the projects aimed at harnessing solar power on a fast track mode.
Expediting the process, the Energy department had identified government lands at two locations — a stretch of land in possession of the Industries department near Nagarjunasagar project in Guntur district and another owned by the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation at MP Kunta near Kadiri in Anantapur — for setting up the plants. Sources in the Energy Department said teams of officials would be deputed to inspect the locations and prepare a feasibility report at the earliest.
The development follows the recent announcement of the department on its plans to establish solar power projects with a capacity of 1,000 MW to overcome power shortages in the longer term. A high-level meeting of the power sector attended by officials of the Generation, Transmission and Distribution utilities took the decision in the light of the prospects of power shortages looming large over the State post-bifurcation.
Though the State is expected to reach a comfort zone once the two units of Krishnapatnam and one unit of the Rayalaseema Thermal Power Project are synchronised with the grid, power shortages primarily because of steep drop in coal supply prompted the government to focus on renewable energy sources. Accordingly, the meeting chaired by Energy Department secretary Ajay Jain gave its nod for calling bids for solar power plants.
“Once the reports are ready, we will opt for bidding in consultation with the Solar Energy Corporation,” Mr. Jain told The Hindu . Bidding would take place in accordance with the guidelines given by the AP Electricity Regulatory Commission. Meanwhile, the APERC has issued a circular notifying changes in the draft power purchase agreements that would be signed between the solar power developers and the distribution companies. The changes, according to the circular, were aimed at simplifying the operational procedures and minimise the scope for litigation.
