Amaravati, Aug 13 (IANS) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Thursday directed officials to study the feasibility and potential for establishing Pumped Storage Energy Projects at 130 reservoirs in the state.
He made the suggestion while discussing a proposal to establish a pumped storage project at Polavaram. He also called for a detailed study of the economic feasibility of such projects.
Referring to the possibility of difficulties in power generation from various reservoirs and projects due to deficient rainfall this year, the Chief Minister directed officials to take advance measures to ensure uninterrupted power generation.
At a review meeting on the functioning of the Energy Department, he asked officials to prepare comprehensive plans to increase power generation capacity in line with the growing electricity demand in the state and ensure the availability of power at lower cost.
The Chief Minister said industrialisation in the state was gathering pace and electricity consumption was expected to double every six years. Accordingly, plans should be prepared to enhance generation capacity. He also called for further measures to reduce power distribution losses.
Naidu also wanted officials to maximise solar power generation. He asked them to take steps to install six lakh solar connections under PM Surya Ghar by September. Another three lakh connections under the non-Surya Ghar category should be installed at the earliest, he said.
He also asked officials to apply to the Centre for another 10 lakh connections. While completing the target under the PM-KUSUM scheme, the state should also seek an additional 2,000 MW capacity from the Centre, the Chief Minister said.
He called for integrating solar, wind and pumped storage resources to create a system capable of supplying reliable power at lower cost.
The Chief Minister wanted officials to take measures to bring down the average power purchase cost to Rs 4.60 per unit this year and to Rs 4 per unit by 2029.
Suggesting introducing a performance-based rating system for the six power utilities in the state, he told officials to set clear targets for each utility and develop the power companies to compete effectively with leading corporate organisations.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that optimisation of power purchases had resulted in savings of Rs 234 crore, while another Rs 100 crore had been saved through prompt payment rebates.
–IANS
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