Andhra Pradesh set for 10 GW of agricultural solar

The state—which commissioned an aggregate 3530.74 MW solar capacity as of May 31, 2020—will set up the new plants to ensure nine hours of free power supply to the agriculture sector.

June 12, 2020 Uma Gupta

Topsun Energy/Uma Gupta

The state government of Andhra Pradesh has approved setting up of 10 GW solar power plants to meet the energy requirements of the agriculture sector. The project is aimed at providing nine hours of power supply to farmers during the daytime, news agency PTI reported.

The State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, also cleared setting up of an Integrated Renewable Energy Project (IREP).

“As part of the IREP, 550 MW of wind power, 1200 MW of pumped storage hydelpower plant and 1000 MW of Solar power will be set up,” PTI quoted Information and Public Relations Minister Perni Venkataramaiah.

The proposal to set up 10 GW of its own solar power generation projects was floated by the state government in February this year as it has been incurring more than Rs 10,000 crore to meet the agriculture subsidy, lift irrigation power charges and aquaculture subsidy every year.

The subsidy has been on a continuous rise over the years with increasing cost of power supply and also an increase in the number of agricultural pump set connections.

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