Andhra Pradesh Government to Expedite 46,000 Pending Free Electricity Connections for Farmers
In a significant announcement aimed at bolstering agricultural support, the Andhra Pradesh state government has committed to releasing 46,000 pending free electricity connections to the agriculture sector before the onset of the next cropping season. Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar made this declaration during a session in the state assembly on Thursday, addressing concerns raised by MLA Konathala Ramakrishna.
Strengthening Agricultural Power Infrastructure
The minister emphasized the government's unwavering commitment to strengthening free power supply to farmers and accelerating the processing of pending agricultural connections. Since the coalition government led by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu assumed office, a total of 1,02,538 new free agricultural electricity connections have been sanctioned across the three distribution companies (discoms) in the state. However, approximately 46,000 applications remain pending, and these will be cleared ahead of the forthcoming agricultural season to ensure timely support for farmers.
Currently, Andhra Pradesh boasts 22,30,703 free agricultural electricity connections statewide, reflecting the extensive reach of this crucial initiative. During the 2025–26 financial year, the government allocated Rs 839.44 crore across the three discoms to provide free power supply to farmers, underscoring the financial investment in agricultural welfare.
Solar Power Initiatives and Future Plans
In addition to traditional power connections, the state has made substantial progress under the PM-KUSUM scheme, with 2,61,481 agricultural power connections sanctioned so far. The minister highlighted the implementation of feeder-level solar projects as a key strategy for enhancing power sustainability and reducing costs.
These solar initiatives are expected to result in savings of Rs 1,059 crore for the state government on power purchases. To ensure a stable and reliable supply, solar power plants are being established near 11 KV lines, which will enable the provision of electricity at a uniform tariff for 25 years. Land acquisition for these feeder-level solar projects is currently underway, and tenders have been invited for a capacity of 1,035 MW.
The government has set an ambitious target of generating 4,000 MW of power between 2028 and 2030, further solidifying its commitment to renewable energy and agricultural support.
Benefits for Farmers and Consumers
Once the feeder-level solar plants become fully operational, farmers will benefit from 9 hours of quality power supply during morning hours, a critical period for agricultural activities. Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar stated, "The energy department aims to ensure uninterrupted and quality power supply not only to farmers but also to domestic, industrial, and commercial consumers across the state."
This comprehensive approach not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for long-term energy security and efficiency in Andhra Pradesh.
