Solar scenario turns quite sunny

Hyderabad: The State government's initiative to set up solar power plants has received an overwhelming response from private developers. A total of 184 bids were received to set up solar plants at 110 out of 161 identified sites in the State. AP Transco officials said that the bids submitted by the developers to establish the solar plants were opened and scrutinised. Out of the 187 applications received, 184 have been accepted. The bids filed by Prerith Constructions Pvt Ltd, GPR Power Solutions Pvt Ltd, and Azure Clean Energy Pvt Ltd were rejected on technical grounds. Finalisation of the bidders will be done after holding meeting with the developers.A It is estimated that Rs 13,125 crore will be invested to set up the plants with 1,750 MW installed capacity envisaged in the Solar Power Policy -2012. It is calculated that the installation of 1 MW power unit will cost Rs 7.5 crore. The officials said that in order to encourage the immediate production of solar power and to reduce the present gap in demand and supply position of power, the government will provide incentives to those solar power developers who commission their solar plant by June 2014. The incentives will be in force for a period of seven years from the date of implementation. It includes electricity duty exemption, refund of VAT, stamp duty and registration charges. A nine-member High Level Committee headed by Principal Secretary (Energy) will monitor the progress of the solar power projects cleared by the government.