Enthused with the tremendous response for Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) worth over Rs.80,000 crore, entered with MoP, GoI, NTPC, Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI), Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) and getting unstinted support from Union Govt., the Andhra Pradesh Government has decided to expedite the implementation of action plan to achieve the energy security for providing 24X7 Power For All (PFA) in a phased manner which will attract huge investments, generate employment and helps in achieving overall economic & integrated development.
“My utmost priority is providing quality, reliable & affordable power that too 24 x 7. Sky is the limit for you. The Union Govt. is with us. Continue the same tempo and strive hard for 24X7 to expedite the execution of power projects to meet the future power requirements for construction of new capital, ports, IT, industries and other infrastructure development. Entire Nation is watching AP’s stride towards progress in all sectors particularly power front. With the conducive atmosphere created in the State, National and International firms are showing keen interest in making huge investments,” said Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu.
Though the major states like Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka have struggled hard to attract Hero Motor Corp Limited, the prestigious company has chosen Andhra Pradesh to invest about Rs.1600 Crores on the project just because of our credibility pro-public power policy, friendly industrial approach and congenial atmosphere. Other ancillary units are keen to invest another Rs.1500 Crores near this plant in Chittoor Dist, he said.
Ajay Jain, Secretary, Energy, along with G.Sai Prasad, Secretary, Power, CMO and K Vijayanand, CMD/APTRANSCO & MD/APGENCO attended the review meeting convened by Hon’ble Chief Minister about the impact of recently entered MoUs for progress of sector and follow up action to be taken up with MoP, GoI. Jain disclosed that the Chief Minister has out lined the above remarks on this occasion.
Reacting to the Mr. Jain’s appraisal that “APDISCOMs have initiated long term bidding process for the procurement of around 2000 MW as per the guidelines issued by MoP, GoI and Request For Qualification (RFQ) document/notification will be uploaded in the official website of APTRANSCO & APSPDCL shortly, the Chief Minister said, “No doubt, we have to meet the future needs by short-term & long-term bidding process apart from optimization of generation through conventional & non-conventional sources. Protecting public interest is must. That is why ensure foolproof mechanism in a transparent way to obtain competitive and affordable price.”
The long-term vision will always help the State, for instance, previously we had pursued vigorously with Vajpayee Government and achieved the entire power (100%) of 1000 MW Simhadri power project of NTPC exclusively to AP. It is a boon to our state. At present, the Centre also assured us to complete the proposed 4000 MW NTPC project at Vizag within 4 years as against the normal period of 5 years.” The Chief Minister has directed top power officials to nominate a nodal officer for each project for which MoU was signed recently and closely monitor the progress of works on regular basis.
While thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal for their unstinted support to Andhra Pradesh for selecting for 24 x 7 PFA, setting up of World’s biggest solar park (2500 MW), allocation of additional power from NTPC, Jajjar, etc., the Chief Minister now made fresh proposal with union Govt. to take lead for forming solar countries association similar to SAARC for exchanging technology & harnessing natural resources, protecting environment for future generations, etc., for the benefit of human kind.
The Andhra Pradesh Government laid special emphasis on distribution network wherein it is proposed to invest around Rs. 4880 crore on distribution network i.e. on setting up feeders and distribution transformers in the coming years. K. Vijayanand informed the Chief Minister that apart from taking every possible step to realize the huge scope of targeted energy savings through energy efficiency projects, the power utilities have targeted 9,180 MW through Non-conventional Energy sources (NCE) such as Solar & Wind by 2018-19. (INN)