The southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has released a draft policy detailing its hybrid power policy on wind and solar energy. Titled Andhra Pradesh Wind Solar Hybrid Power Policy 2016, the draft policy, which was released by the New & Renewable Energy Development Corporation of Andhra Pradesh Ltd., points out that the state's Rayalaseema belt has the highest potential for both wind and solar power. In that region, hybrid wind and solar projects can help to make optimal use of transmission infrastructure.
Andhra Pradesh is targeting a total of 3,000 MW of hybrid wind and solar power capacity by 2019-20. According to the draft, "Policy aims to encourage new technologies, methods and way-outs involving combined operation of wind and solar PV plants, which may also be coupled with any other renewable energy sources and other emerging technologies, like energy storage systems."
With this step, Andhra Pradesh becomes the first of the Indian states to take the Government of India's call to promote hybrid wind and solar power (see Solar Wind Hybrid Parks).
As of July 31, 2016, Andhra Pradesh had commissioned a total solar power capacity of 935.8 MW. Out of this, solar commissioned under central government policies is 343 MW, while 592.80 was installed as part of state programs. The cumulative installed capacity of renewable energy in Andhra Pradesh was 3,056.7 MW. The state has already set an ambitious target of 18,000 MW of renewable energy capacity by 2021-22. Out of this, 10,000 MW will be solar, the remaining 8,000 MW will be based on wind power. The hybrid wind-solar park capacity will be part of the 18,000 MW capacity the state is planning.
Additionally, Andhra Pradesh has set in motion several other initiatives in the renewable space as a so-called green corridor investment for power evacuation and power procurement through power purchase agreements with the state's power distribution companies. The capacity to be developed is understood to be awarded through competitive bidding. However, preference will be given to those developers 'who have pledged a so-called Green Energy commitment to the Prime Minster during REInvest to develop the Renewable Energy Projects specifically in the state of Andhra Pradesh'. REInvest is an annual renewable energy investment summit organized by the Government of India that was launched in 2015.
Through this policy, the state government is aiming to also attract solar and wind investments in its manufacturing sector. It clearly outlines, "The Government intends to promote wind turbine and solar manufacturing facilities that can contribute towards wind and solar sector development in the State and create employment opportunities. In addition to the incentives applicable for promoting manufacturing as per the existing industrial, solar and wind power policies, it is proposed to provide preference in allotment of the wind solar hybrid capacity for projects that come up based on manufacturing facilities located within the State."
Andhra Pradesh's 'hybrid wind solar power' policy is proposed to remain in force for five years from the date of issuance of policy or until it is replaced by a new policy.