A record breaking production of 2500 MWs of Solar power in a single year and 2747 MWs before the next Khariff crop is planned by the Telangana State Government and thus becoming a model for the rest of the states in the Country.
In the process, the solar production has been decentralised sub-station wise paying way for reducing transmission loses. This will also enable for supply of power to agriculture for nine hours during day time as well as with the passing of time, the cost of solar power per unit would be at real tariff. This initiative of the State Government and the incentives provided are attracting the investors of solar power production. Overall, increase in the Solar power production will also fulfill the promise of Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao to supply power to agriculture for nine hours.
During the previous government, there was no response to the tenders that were called. On the other hand, when the Telangana Government invited tenders, there was tremendous response. During November 2014 tenders were called for 515 MWs of Solar power production and the Government processed and finalised. Even the power purchase agreements have been finalised.
During April 2015, tenders were again called for production of 2000 MWs of solar power and the last date has been fixed as June 15, 2015. Though the State Government called for tenders for only 2000 MWs, the response from the bidders has been to a tune of 6000 MWs so far. These will be finalised after June 15.
Before the next year’s Kharif crop solar plants of 2747 MWs capacity will be ready. The split up of this is 232 MWs for which agreements were reached during the previous Government, 515 MWs for which tenders were already finalised and 2000MWs for which tenders are in progress. Out of 2747 MWs, before March next year 1000MWs will be made available and before the Kharif crop the rest will be made available. With this nine hours power supply for agriculture would become possible.
Unlike in the past, the process of production that is being planned at present will enable production of solar power as per the requirement of each district and capacity of substations. The utilisation of power would be where ever it is produced. In tune with the capacity of substations, the supply of power will be there. The deficit of power at the sub station would be filled with solar power. If the supply at the sub station is in its full capacity then over and above the solar production only the rest of the power will be supplied. For example, if the capacity of the sub-station is 50 MWs and if the solar plant produces 10 MWs then it will be only 40 MWs of power that would be given to the sub station.
By this, there will not be any problem for the maintenance of the grid since power supply will be based on capacity of sub station. In other words, the power production is decentralised. There is also clarity as to the quantum of solar power to be supplied for a particular district. The tenders that have been called for production of 2000MWs an upper limit has been fixed district wise. To effect necessary changes at the time of finalisation of tenders the estimates have been prepared over and above the targeted production. Thus for Mahabubnagar District it is 400 MWs, Medak – 500MWs, Nalgonda – 600MWs, South Rangareddy – 100MWs, Warangal – 300MWs, Karimnagar – 300MWs, Khammam – 200MWs, Nizamabad – 400MWs and Adilabad – 200MWs capacity of solar plants are planned. (INN)