26.8.14

AP to have `Green Corridor'

Andhra Pradesh government, with an eye on the carbon credit market, has decided to go for `green power' on a massive scale. The state plans to produce 9,000 MW solar and wind power in the next five years to earn clean development mechanism (CDM) benefits from carbon credit exchanges. It will establish a `Green Corridor' with several `clean energy' power projects. “We have planned to produce 5,000 MW solar power and 4,000 MW wind power in joint ventures with major companies in this sector in the coming five years,“ Ajay Jain, principal secretary , energy , Andhra Pradesh said. Major governmentowned companies are also planning to set up largescale solar power projects. NTPC Limited and NVVN Limited have plans to build solar power projects with a capacity of 1,000 MW .
The Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited had signed an agreement to set up 1,000 MW solar power project in Mahbubnagar district during the Kiran Kumar Reddy regime. Now, AP government is trying to rope in the company to set up the project in either Chittoor or Anantapur.
The government has decided to allot 500 acres of land in Anantapur for setting up a 100 MW solar farm, and accorded permission to establish a mega 1,000 MW solar park in the same district and another 300 MW solar park in Guntur district. “A new solar power policy to develop solar hubs will be in place very soon,“ Ajay Jain said.
The state also has significant wind energy potential.According to the Centre for Wind Energy Technology , the state has a wind power potential of about 14,500 MW at 80 metre hub height. AP at present has an installed wind energy capacity of less than 800 MW with majority of units located at Ramagiri hills in Anantapur district.
By opting for green power, the AP government is looking at two benefits. First, to enter into CDM market to exploit the carbon credit benefits and secondly , to tap renewable energy sources in the state with central financial assistance. AP was chosen to implement 24x7 power supply programme along with Delhi and Rajasthan and it is expected that more than Rs.5,000 crore investment will be made available by the Centre for renewable energy generation projects.
AP government has sought Rs.15,718 crore central funding for `Power-for-All' programme for next financial year. A total expenditure of Rs.54,332 crore is estimated to be incurred by the Centre to implement the 24x7 power supply project in three states over a period of five years.

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