South Africa tour of India 2019
Chandrababu Naidu Aims to Make Andhra Pradesh a Solar Power Hub
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has set an ambitious goal to transform the state into a solar power hub, achieving self-sufficiency in generation and consumption. In a meeting with senior Energy Department officials on Monday, Naidu reviewed ongoing projects and directed expeditious implementation of solarisation initiatives, emphasizing the state's immense solar potential due to its favorable climatic conditions.
Naidu proposed encouraging households to install solar power equipment, highlighting that it could provide free power for personal use while enabling homeowners to sell surplus electricity to the state. He urged officials to promote central schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar-Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM, which offer substantial subsidies for solar rooftop installations and agricultural connections.
A detailed review of the state’s solarisation efforts revealed promising developments:
- Solar Rooftops for Homes: Of 6.33 lakh registered users, over 70,000 applied for the Surya Ghar scheme, with panels installed in 4,961 homes so far. In Kuppam, the CM’s constituency, nearly 50,000 houses have shown readiness for solar installations, providing 2.66 crore square feet for rooftop setups.
- Solar Villages: The state targets converting 132 villages into fully solar-powered communities, with financial assistance of ₹1 crore from the Central government for each village.
- Government Offices: Solar panels are planned for 2,186 government buildings, potentially saving ₹349–379 crore annually in power expenses.
- Agricultural Solar Power: Under PM-KUSUM, 14.94 lakh agriculture connections are deemed viable for solar installations, with a target of generating 3,572 MW in Phase-1.
The NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Ltd is set to spearhead the program, supported by guarantees from the state’s finance or general administration departments. Subsidies of up to 60% under the central schemes make installations affordable, with the remaining costs covered through loans or direct contributions from beneficiaries.
Naidu stressed the importance of creating awareness among the public about the benefits of solar energy and directed officials to intensify efforts to meet targets. "This initiative not only ensures energy self-reliance but also aligns with sustainable development goals," he said.
By leveraging central subsidies and optimizing state resources, Andhra Pradesh aims to lead the way in renewable energy adoption, setting a benchmark for other states.
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