VIJAYAWADA: Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister and Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K. Vijayanand has directed AP Transco officials to accelerate the execution of 68 transmission infrastructure projects being undertaken across the state at an estimated cost of Rs 5,000 crore. The initiative aims to strengthen the power transmission network and meet future energy requirements.
Review of Ongoing Projects
Reviewing the progress of ongoing projects at Vidyut Soudha in Vijayawada, Vijayanand stated that the projects under implementation would add 15,274 MVA of transformation capacity and 1,822 circuit kilometres of transmission lines to the state's power network upon completion. He emphasized the need for timely completion of all works in view of rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, infrastructure expansion, and increasing renewable energy generation in the state.
Objectives and Benefits
Vijayanand noted that AP Transco is working with the objective of providing reliable and quality power supply to agriculture, industries, commercial establishments, and domestic consumers. According to him, the ongoing projects would not only improve the reliability of the transmission system but also reduce pressure on the existing network, improve voltage stability, and ensure uninterrupted power supply in various regions.
New Transmission Projects Approved
Vijayanand also said that approval had already been granted for the tendering of 100 new transmission projects, including 12 projects of 400 kV capacity and 88 projects of 220 kV and 132 kV capacities. These projects, he said, were strategically proposed to further strengthen the transmission network and ensure long-term energy security.
Renewable Energy Infrastructure
Highlighting the state's focus on renewable energy infrastructure, Vijayanand said AP Transco is developing Extra High Tension (EHT) power supply infrastructure for Vertical Integrated Solar PV manufacturing industries being established at Chevuru and Karedu villages in SPSR Nellore district. He said the projects would help the state emerge as a major renewable energy manufacturing hub while also creating local employment opportunities.
Battery Energy Storage Systems
He said the Ministry of Power had sanctioned viability gap funding under the Power System Development Fund for the development of 30 GWh battery energy storage systems across the country, of which Andhra Pradesh has been allocated 3 GWh capacity. The Battery Energy Storage System projects would be implemented at 10 locations in two phases and would improve grid stability, facilitate renewable energy integration, and ensure reliable power supply during peak demand periods and non-solar hours.
Green Energy Corridor Phase-III
He further said that proposals had been submitted under the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme for evacuation of 11 gigawatts of solar power and 7,370 megawatts of pumped storage power in Andhra Pradesh. The proposals, involving an estimated investment of Rs 21,838 crore, have been sent to the Central Electricity Authority and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy for approval.
Meeting Participants
AP Transco JMD Surya Sai Praveen Chand, directors A.K.V. Bhaskar, J.V. Rao and Venkata Ramanamurthy, along with chief engineers, superintending engineers, and zonal officials, participated in the review meeting.
