Energy Minister G. Jagadish Reddy on Tuesday informed the Telangana Legislative Assembly that the State Government has decided to promote large scale production of Solar Power.
In his reply to a question raised by MLA Marri Janardhan Reddy and others during Question Hour, the Minister said for procurement of solar power, tenders were also floated in the years 2014 and 2015 for 500 MW and 200 MW respectively. He said Telangana Government has announced “Telangana Solar Power Policy – 2015” w.e.f.01.06.2015 and it would remain applicable for a period of five years.
The incentives being offered under the policy include facilitation of expeditious approvals through single window clearance through TS-iPass; Deemed conversion to non-agricultural land status; Exemption from Land Ceiling Act; Exemption of Transmission and Distribution charges for wheeling of power for captive use; Exemption of Electricity Duty in respect of all SPPs set up within the State; Exemption of Supervision Charges levied by TSTRANSCO/TS Discoms for the estimates for evacuation of solar power, i.e.,inter-connection line/bay extensions at substations; Levy of rS. 25,000 per acre basis towards Payment of Development Charges and Layout fee and permission from Gram Panchayat; Refund of VAT for a period of five years and refund fo Stamp Duty.
Jagadish Reddy said that in the year 2012 and 2013, PPAs were entered on tender process and open offer process for 183 MW and 202 MW at Rs. 6.49 per unit respective. In the year 2014 PPAs were entered for 515 MW at tariff band with 6.45-6.90. He said 3272.10 MW energy is expected to be generated through Solar Power. (INN)