AP Genco is set to commission 2x800 MW Krishnapatnam coal-fired thermal power plant and 600 MW expansion unit at Bhoopalapally early next year, significantly easing up demand-supply situation.
The Krishnapatnam power plant, based on supercritical boiler technology, coming up in Nellore district will be ready by January and the Kakatiya thermal project before March next, according to State Energy Conservation Mission.
The State Government, which had invited expression of interest for setting up of solar power plants under the State’s solar policy, expects interest for setting up of 500 MW .
AP Transco, the nodal agency for facilitating the setting up of solar photo-voltaic units in the State had bids for setting up of 1000 MW, offering Rs 6.49 a unit, as decided by the Group of Ministers. The bidders have now been permitted to apply for projects up to September 30, subject to the tariff offer and other conditions.
This far, letters of intent have been issued for setting up of 240 MW and the consent has been received for additional 175 MW, including the proposal of State utility, AP Genco.
In all, the State has received response for 415 MW of solar units and expects this to go up to 500 MW. A.Chandra Sekhar Reddy, Chief Executive Officer, State Energy Conservation Mission, said the State Government is seeking to optimise and increase power generation from various fuel options, including setting up of renewable energy projects.
Referring to the supply position, he said due to substantial inflows into reservoirs, AP Genco is expecting to cross the targeted power generation of 6,755 MUs this year from hydel power projects. With good monsoons so far, the State utilities have managed to meet the demand of 237 MUs after a gap of three years. The hydel power generation is now at about 61 MUs as against 26 MUs same day last year.
rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in