APGenco maps out 100 sites for mini-hydel projects

Hyderabad : In yet another effort to provide relief to the State from the increasing power crisis, government has initiated steps to generate power by setting up mini hydel projects. The implementing agency APGENCO (AP Power Generation Company Limited) identified 100 potential sites to set-up the projects in the State.

The GENCO officials said that the sites have been identified in 17 districts, with 20 of them in Nalgonda, 19 in Karimnagar, 30 in Adilabad and 10 in Guntur among other districts. The aggregate power generation capacity in the identified sites was 150 MW and each project capacity is varied from 0.1 MW to 5 MW.

The officials said that the bidding process had begun and it received overwhelming response from private companies. APGENCO invited the bids on behalf of New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NREDCAP), as directed by the State government.

The bidders who offered the maximum free power will be allotted the project for implementation. The energy generated from these mini hydel projects will be used for captive consumption or will be sold to a third party in the State. The distribution companies will also purchase the power depending on the supply from the project.

The officials said that before finalising the bids, the APGENCO and State Major Irrigation Department would hold a crucial meeting next month. As per the procedure, it is required to seek the permission of Irrigation, Panchyat Raj (in villages), Municipal Administration and Urban Development, Revenue, Finance and Rural Water Supply (RWS) departments before giving nod to set up the projects by private companies.