Kiran Kumar sets 10,000 MW as wind power target

HYDERABAD: Chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Tuesday directed the Non-conventional Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh (NEDCAP) to prepare a comprehensive action plan to achieve 10,000 MW of wind power during the next five-year period.Reviewing Nedcap’s renewable energy programmes at the the state secretariat here, the chief minister said  the state had the potential for wind and solar power production that required to be exploited and for both the sectors, the targeted region would be Rayalaseema.He said investors in wind power projects should be provided with good incentives and better tariffs. “The actual cost of conventional power will be increasing rapidly because of the higher cost of fuel and deficit of local fuel resources like coal and gas. Renewable power like solar, wind and mini-hydel have little impact on variable costs and has a more deterministic power cost.Reddy said Rs 5,000 crore was provided by the 13th Finance Commission for 2013-14 and will accrue to the best performing states as assessed by the Union ministry of new and renewable energy.He asked officials to announce incentives for 100 percent solar energy utilisation by panachayats and municipalities for street-lighting and other purposes. Solar power is likely to be supplied to 800 to 1000 Scheduled Tribe colonies in the state.Officials told him that there were 1.48-crore domestic power consumers in the state and under the “Vidyut Bachat Yojana”, CFL bulbs will be provided on concession rates.  The chief minister said lands identified for establishment of wind power stations may be verified and cleared by the Unified Authority. It may be recalled that the chief minister has ordered a number of initiatives for energy conservation measures like compulsory installation of solar heaters, all the government departments should have three-star and above-rated equipments given by BEE, compulsory audit of Government buildings, framing of proper rules for all private buildings for energy savings and all these decisions are under operationalisation.