AP govt mulls 2,500-MW ultra-mega solar parks.

The Andhra Pradesh government is contemplating setting up ultra-mega solar parks of 2,500-MW capacity in Ananthapur, Kurnool and Kadapa districts through an MoU among APGenco, New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (Nredcap) and Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI). "The 24X7 Power For All (PFA) is my dream project and the government has targeted to achieve 9,150 MW capacity through renewable energy and realising substantial energy savings through energy efficiency projects by FY 2018-19, which will go a long way in making AP a solar hub and a centre of excellence for the country," chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu said recently. Naidu's comments come at a time when the Andhra Pradesh government is all set to sign a joint initiative with the Centre for the 24X7 PFA programme on September 16 at Lakeview Guest House here with an ultimate aim of providing uninterrupted power for domestic and industrial electricity consumers. This joint initiative will be signed by the secretaries concerned on the occasion of completion of 100 days of the present regime in the presence of Naidu, and Piyush Goyal, Union minister of state for new renewable energy, power, coal. Reviewing the modalities for rolling out of the proposed 24X7 PFA scheme, the chief minister directed the energy department to make arrangements to enter into separate MoUs with NTPC for solar and thermal projects, SECI and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). These include an MoU between the state government and NTPC for a 1,000-Mw solar park in NP Kunta Mandal of Ananthapur district and an MoU between the State Energy Conservation Mission and EESL on energy efficiency activities in domestic, agricultural and municipal street lighting.