Sri Krishnadevaraya University to set up solar plant under Build-Operate-Transfer

Itukapalle (Anantapur): Sri Krishnadevaraya University (SKU) is now embarking on a solar power generation project to neutralise its huge power bills of Rs 2.4 crore every year. The officials feel power bills are draining the exchequer of the university and eating into it’s fragile economy.

• The varsity is paying Rs 2.4 crore power bills annually
• SKU wants to reduce power bills by setting up 1 MW solar power plant

In fact, SKU is the second university in the state which is coming up with innovate ideas. The university executive council has recently discussed several options including self-financing and operating it’s own power project on Build-Operate-Transfer basis or just invest in the project and transfer it’s execution and operation responsibilities to the project executing agency.

However, it is likely to consider the second option of Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) as it is advantageous to the university. Under the system, the university need not invest any amount on the project nor it will execute or operate the project. The BOT agency itself will invest, execute and run the project. The university will pay it’s power bills as usual for an agreed period of time.

Once the investing agency realises its investment, then it will turn over the solar plant to the university. The SKU will run it’s own plant and save the power bills for the rest of the life of the solar panels.

SKU Vice-Chancellor Prof K Rajagopal told ‘The Hans India’ that the university will set up a 1 MW solar power plant soon as decks have been cleared for the execution of the project.

The cost of the investment for the solar plant which is about Rs 5 crore can be realised in 7-8 years and the life of the solar panels is 25 years. The 1 MW solar power will cater to university needs including colleges and hostels. Next to ANU university in Guntur, the SKU is the second to tap solar power. Rajagopal says that the investment on the solar plant can be realised in 6-7 years while the life of the solar panels is 25 years.

The university will save huge amount of power bills every year for the next 18 years. Every year, the SKU is paying Rs 2.4 crore power bills which is a staggering amount. Even if the SKU invests its own funds in the project, it can realize the entire amount in 2 years. In 20 years, the university can economise a whopping Rs 45 crore.

The university also proposes to give technical support to the non-conventional energy industry in the district. The district has emerged as the non-conventional energy capital with scores of solar and wind energy plants dotting the district landscape.

The district is producing more than 1000 MW solar and wind energy. Prof Rajagopal stated that the university students have inter-face between the students and industry and students are hand in glove with industry personnel trying to update themselves with the industry needs and latest technological trends. The SKU also will be working with the ‘Kiya Motors’ that will be establishing the firm soon and also with scores of wind and solar energy companies.

In future, courses relating to non-conventional energy will also be introduced to prepare students to become entrepreneurs and establish solar power projects. The district has emerged as a non-conventional energy hub by establishing the largest number of solar and wind energy projects in the state. Introduction of new courses in non-conventional energy is also under active consideration of the university.

By Ravi P Benjamin