Andhra Pradesh Powering Ahead With 5 GW+ RE

• Andhra Pradesh has laid the foundation stone for 3 solar and wind power projects 
• With more than 5 GW combined capacity, all these projects are planned for Nandyal district  
• Total capacity includes over 4 GW of solar, with Greenko alone building a 2.3 GW PV plant  

The Indian state of Andhra Pradesh has laid the foundation for 3 private renewable energy projects in Nandyal district, representing a combined capacity of over 5.3 GW, including a 2.3 GW solar power plant by Greenko Energies.  

According to local media reports, the 2.3 GW solar PV plant is to be located in Junuthala village in Owk mandal. Greenko is building the project for an estimated investment of INR 103.5 billion ($1.25 billion). It is expected to generate employment for 2,300 people, said the state Chief Minister (CM) YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.  

The CM also laid the foundation stone virtually for a 1.014 GW project by ArcelorMittal Green Energy Company, comprising 700 MW solar and 314 MW wind power capacity. Worth INR 45 billion ($545 million), this hybrid project is planned for Kandikayapalle village in Panyam mandal.  

Yet another hybrid project is a 2 GW facility, equally divided between 1 GW solar and wind power in Bethamcherla mandal's Muddavaram village. The INR 110 billion ($1.33 billion) project is to be built by Ecoren Energy.   

As per the state's official target for solar energy, it aims for a minimum of 5 GW to be achieved by 2023, with another 5 GW to come from solar-wind hybrid projects (see New Solar & Hybrid Power Policy In Andhra Pradesh).    

Till July 31, 2023, Andhra Pradesh had commissioned over 4.28 GW solar and 4.08 GW of wind power capacity, according to the New and Renewable Energy Development Corporation of AP Ltd. (NREDCAP).    

Reddy shared that the state government has signed up to receive 7.2 GW renewable energy from the Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) to be supplied to the farmers for free, during daytime. SECI is charging the state a fixed tariff of INR 2.49/kWh for this electricity for a period of 25 years to 30 years.