At the book release – ‘Modi and his challenges’ in New Delhi
NEW DELHI: The Centre today assured that Andhra Pradesh’s greenfield capital city Amaravati would not have any shortage of power transmission capacity.
The Andhra Pradesh Power Transmission Corporation Ltd (APTRANSCO) has planned a transmission network of 3,830 MVA capacity around the capital city to meet the anticipated demand, it said.
“I can assure that at no point of time, the new capital of Amaravati will have any shortage of transmission capacity,” Power and Coal Minister Piyush Goyal said during Question Hour in the Rajya Sabha.
The state government determines the requirement of power. Once the lines come up, they pick up the cost of transmission infrastructure of the state. So, the plans to set up power transmission corridors are co-terminus with the development of Amaravati, he said.
The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) in consultation with APTRANSCO has planned 400/220 kilo Volt (kV) at Elluru, Chilakaluripet, Gudivada and Inavolu along with Associated Transmission System for meeting load demand in and around Vijayawada and proposed capital city of Amaravati, he added.
Responding to a supplementary raised by TDP leader C M Ramesh on status of pending green projects in the state, the Minister said Andhra Pradesh is the first state to take up green energy corridor and solar power park concepts.
Almost 1,500 MW transmission has been set up in and around Ananthapur and 250 MW has already been commissioned. The second phase of 750 MW transmission would be ready by March 2017 and 500 MW will be ready by September 2017, thereby making this a vibrant solar power park, he said.
“For other solar parks, the state government is in dialogue with the Ministry of Renewable Energy for procurement of adequate land which will help us implement the solar parks. As and when the land gets available, we will again plan the transmission infrastructure,” Goyal said.
He also noted that the Centre cannot plan transmission in advance. “There has to be a potential buyer. That buyer has to enter into an agreement with transmission companies which will ensure the payment of transmission lines,” he added.
To a suggestion by RJD leader Prem Chand Gupta on easy permission norms for solar projects amid problems of acquiring land, the Minister said “more and more people should come forward to give land, lease or owned, so that we can expand the solar energy capacity in the country.”
But the Centre cannot do the bidding unless the state government enters into power purchasing agreement, he said.
“I encourage member wherever they can come up with land, solar parks can be set up. They can talk to respective states. If a state is willing to enter into an agreement, the central government will certainly facilitate the bidding process,” Goyal added.
Discussed coal evacuation rail infrastructure projects in Chhattisgarh with Hon’ble Railway Minister & Hon’ble CM of Chhattisgarh
Participating in India Competitiveness Forum 2016 by Business Council for International Understanding
There is no shortage of power in the country to cater to the demands of states and government is trying to fully tap the potential of new and renewable energy to produce 175 Gigawatt of power by 2022, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Power Minister Piyush Goyal also said the government was exploring producing energy from waste and garbage and clearance of certain projects were awaited from National Green Tribunal and the Supreme Court, monitoring the use of technology which does not impact on environment.
“There is no shortage of power in the country. We have sufficient power and if any state wants to buy power, one can do so from a portal now.
“Total potential in India from new and renewable energy is huge and immense and the total potential is certainly not being exploited. This government has embarked on a plan for producing 100 GW planned capacity in solar and an overall five-fold increase in renewable energy to 175 GW by 2022,” Goyal told members during the Question Hour.
Replying to supplementaries, the Minister said as regards the total amount of energy generated last year from solar power and renewable sources of energy put together was 65 billion units.
“In 32 years, the country barely had 34 MW of renewable energy capacity and the total solar power capacity is 2,632 MW but we have added 4,130 MW capacity in last two years. This is almost 1.5 times in two years against what was added in last 32 years,” Goyal said.
As per the new tariff policy, government has made compulsory grid inclusion for all new projects converting waste into energy, he said.
“Government is awaiting clearance of technology for use by certain projects to convert waste into energy. The NGT and Supreme Court are monitoring the technology used for proposed plants for converting waste and garbage into energy. We are in discussion with foreign makers for use of technology, “he said.
The Minister also said there was a proposal to tap the potential of wind power along the 7,500 km coastline in the country, but the cost turns out to be higher than in Europe.
At signing of MoU between Govt. of Himachal Pradesh, NTPC Ltd. & NHPC for setting up of Hydro Engineering College in Himachal Pradesh
Speaking at CNBC TV18 Save Energy Conclave in New Delhi
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