AP puts renewable power export policy in place

Vijayawada/Visakhapatnam: In a trend-setting move, Andhra Pradesh Government has unveiled Renewable Power Export Policy for large-scale promotion of renewable energy projects for export of power to outside the State without any obligation to DISCOMS (distribution companies).

The policy is expected to attract investments into wind, solar and hybrid projects on a massive scale. "The projects will not only strengthen the energy sector in the State but also help in generating revenue, create local employment, improve people's standards of living and boost the industrial and economic development of the State," said a senior official of the Energy Department.

Besides, Pumped Hydro Storage (PHS) projects with a capacity of 33,240 MW have been planned both on river and off-river sites. This is expected to help convert variable renewable energy sources into round-the-clock power and attract large scale investments into the State.

AP has already improved its renewable energy generation resulting in the installation capacity reaching 3,800 MW in 2021 against the 3029 MW in 2018-19. These measures will help to make the State the best achiever in clean energy in the country soon, said the official.

AP is ahead of other States in providing quality and affordable power supply. While several States are struggling to achieve the target of providing 24x7 power, AP stands first in achieving cost-effective power, the official said, quoting the Niti Aayog report.

According to Energy Minister Balineni Srinivasa Reddy, efforts of Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to strengthen the power sector would help to transform the State into a vibrant economy and an industrial hub. He said the dream of the Chief Minister is to enable every family to access the benefits of cheap power which improves economic and living standards.

Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Srikant Nagulapalli said the State stood first in the affordable and clean energy category at national level by achieving 100 per cent points in 2020 and thanked the relentless efforts of power sector employees for achieving the feat at the national level and receiving appreciation from NITI Aayog report on UN Sustainable Development Goals.