Appreciating the efforts of AP Govt. in implementation of the Power For All (24X7) program the Govt. of India in a high level review meeting held today at New Delhi has declared various sops to AP, which will immensely benefit the state and stakeholders.
As part of its gesture the Ministry of Power, Govt. of India, has agreed to provide Rs.1350 Crores from National Green Energy Fund, for construction of evacuation lines for solar & wind power projects. The number of agrl. pumpsets that were sanctioned for installing solar based pumpsets have also been enhanced from a 4000 to 8000 nos. The Central Govt. is to give 30% of the cost of these pumpsets as grant. Further, Govt. of India has also directed Western Coal Fields (WCL) Limited to supply additional quantum of 1 million tonnes of coal to AP, which is beneficial to bring up the coal stock position for comfortable operation of the thermal plants.
Ajay Jain, Secretary, Power, who made Power Point Presentation on PFA (24X7), said the Govt. of Andhra Pradesh is preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for improving distribution network in rural & urban areas. On behalf of AP Govt. Ajay Jain, Secretary, Energy sought assistance of Central Govt. for renovation & modernization of old thermal power units which have served more than 20 years in Dr Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station at Viajayawada and Rayalaseema Thermal Power Plants (RTPP) at Muddanuru and for strengthening of Distribution and Transmission network in APEPDCL, APSPDCL & APTRANSCO.
The preparedness of the Govt. of AP in implementing the Power For All (24X7) programme far ahead of other states is appreciated by the Central Govt. AP is able to provide better quality and reliable power supply to all consumers. Top officials of Ministry of Power commended the efforts the AP power sector in reduction of power deficit and reduction of T&D losses.
The meeting was chaired by R.N. Choubey, Spl. Secretary, Ministry of Power, GoI and attended by CMDs of PFC, REC, GAIL, Jt. Secretaries of MNRE, Ministry of Coal, Finance, Petroleum and MD/EESL. The chair of the meeting opined that AP is at the forefront of implementing the Power For All (PFA) program among all states and complimented the efforts of State Govt. and in particular Ajay Jain, Secretary, Energy, Govt. of AP, and is known to have said “well done Ajay.” (NSS)