AP Secures Rs 3.92 Lakh Cr Investment In Renewable Energy Sector

Amaravati, Jan 27 (KNN) Andhra Pradesh has secured investments totaling Rs 3.92 lakh crore in its renewable energy sector, marking significant progress toward its ambitious goal of becoming a renewable energy hub, according to AP Genco Managing Director KVN Chakradhar Babu. 

The investments are expected to generate approximately 3.30 lakh employment opportunities, aligning with the state's recently launched Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy (AP ICE) 2024.

Speaking at the Republic Day celebrations at Vidyut Soudha in Vijayawada, Chakradhar Babu outlined the state's comprehensive strategy to attract investments worth Rs 10 lakh crore in the clean energy sector, with projections indicating the creation of 7.5 lakh direct and indirect jobs. 

The initiative demonstrates the state government's commitment to advancing India's national energy transition objectives under the leadership of Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar.

The state's power sector has maintained its focus on providing 24x7 uninterrupted power supply to various consumer segments while ensuring daytime free power supply to over 21 lakh agricultural consumers. 

In a significant move toward sustainable energy, the state is implementing the PM-KUSUM scheme to solarise 1,000-1,200 agricultural feeders, which will add 3,725 MW of capacity. 

Additionally, the government has initiated the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijili Yojana, targeting the installation of rooftop solar panels for 10 lakh beneficiaries by December 2026.

AP Genco has announced several major infrastructure expansion projects to meet growing electricity demands. These include the 1,350 MW Upper Sileru PSP scheduled for completion by February 2029, two 115 MW hydropower units at Lower Sileru set for completion this year, and 12 units of 80 MW each at the Polavaram project expected to be operational by January 2027. 

The corporation has also received preliminary approval for new Pumped Storage Projects with a combined capacity of 5,070 MW in partnership with NHPC.

APTRANSCO, managing the state's transmission infrastructure, continues to maintain high efficiency standards with 373 EHT substations and over 33,000 circuit kilometres of transmission lines. 

The network operates with remarkably low transmission losses of 2.69 percent and high system availability of 99.82 percent. The state grid recently recorded a peak demand of 13,712 MW in May 2024, while maintaining an average daily supply of 222.35 MU during the financial year 2024-25.
 
(KNN Bureau)