Andhra Pradesh has set its sights on a bold new approach that seeks to create hybrid solar and wind farms, which will become more cost effective.

The idea is to encourage wind and solar project promoters to take up both sources of energy at the same location.

With State Government looking for a major contribution from renewable energy, encouraging both solar and wind power at one site should attract more developers, according to Ajay Jain, Principal Secretary Energy, Andhra Pradesh Government.

Speaking at a meeting hosted by the Andhra Pradesh Electricity Regulator, Jain said that the State has a potential to develop 38,500 mw of solar power and 13,000 mw of wind power; it now has an installed capacity of 125 mw of solar and about 927 mw of wind power.

But that capacity is likely to be rapidly expanded with government backing, he said.

Once the regulator comes out with new guidelines for encouraging hybrid projects, the cost of setting them up would come down, he said.

Loss reduction

The Power Secretary said that the State has been chosen among three States for “Power for All” scheme and is working to bring down transmission and distribution losses from 13 per cent now to single digits. This would provide a big boost to the power sector.

Earlier Justice Bhavani Prasad, Chairman of APERC, who held meeting of the State Advisory Committee, said the commission would listen carefully to the views of the public in finalising the tariff plan for next financial year. He said meetings have been arranged in major cities to get the people’s views. Their suggestions and concerns would be factored before finalising the tariff structure, he said.

Related Topics
comment COMMENT NOW