CM okays Transco's solar power proposals

• Any solar power developer can come forward to supply at Rs 6.49 per unit
• Interested solar power developers can submit applications within 4 weeks

Hyderabad: In a significant development, Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Wednesday accorded approval for the proposal of APTRANSCO to give opportunity to all the solar power developers, even to those who have not participated in the recently concluded competitive bidding for 1000 MW, and to submit their consent and applications within 4 weeks at Rs 6.49 per unit as decided by Group of Ministers earlier. The decision came out in the light of the fact that some solar power developers who have not participated in the bidding process, also showed keen interest to supply solar power at Rs 6.49 per unit. Disclosing the above details, M Sahoo, Principal Secretary, Energy Department while reviewing the progress of solar power projects bidding with Suresh Chanda, CMD, APTRANSCO, P Ramesh, Joint MD, APTRANSCO, M Kamalakar Babu, VC and MD NREDCAP and senior officials, categorically said that government was fully committed for promotion of non-renewable energy and to put in efforts to make AP as role model in solar power as a part of promotion of green energy. The latest decision of the government will help the State to tap the solar power to the maximum extent. Apart from encouraging the non-renewable energy, government was putting all-out efforts for enhancement of power generation in the State to bridge the gap between supply and demand. It is pertinent to note that there was a positive response for government policy of encouraging solar power calling bids for setting up of 1000 MW solar power plants through competitive bidding by APTRANSCO. Earlier, 331 bids were qualified from the 184 bidders for 161 locations notified in the request for submission and finally 35 bidders with a total capacity of about 418 MW have accepted Solar Power Purchase price of Rs 6.49 unit.