Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu emphasised that with rising global temperatures, it is essential to make use of solar, wind, hydropower, pumped storage, battery storage, and other renewable energy sources.
Published Mar 13, 2025 | 8:37 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 13, 2025 | 8:37 PM
Synopsis: The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced plans to set up 5,000 electric vehicle charging stations across the state and invest ₹1.07 lakh crore in power projects, alongside expanding renewable energy capacity to 47.82 GW.
The Andhra Pradesh government plans to establish 5,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the state, with one every 30 km along highways, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced in the state assembly on Thursday, 13 March. The initiative is part of the state’s broader clean energy push.
Additionally, the government aims to complete the Polavaram Hydro Power Project and invest ₹1.07 lakh crore in power projects through Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corporation Limited (APGENCO) over the next five years. The state also plans to increase its transmission capacity to 16,507 MW with an investment of ₹6,000 crore.
The chief minister highlighted that Andhra Pradesh has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) worth ₹5.19 lakh crore in the energy sector under the Integrated Clean Energy Policy – 2024, generating an estimated 3.66 lakh jobs.
“We promised not to increase electricity tariffs upon coming to power, and we are committed to that promise,” he said. “We are working to reduce the per-unit electricity purchase price from ₹5.16 to ₹4.80.”
He emphasised that with rising global temperatures, it is essential to make use of solar, wind, hydropower, pumped storage, battery storage, and other renewable energy sources.
He continued, “Every sector, including homes, industries, and vehicles, needs green energy for a sustainable economy. Even planes and ships will soon run on green energy. India aims to produce 500 GW of green energy, and Andhra Pradesh has set a target of 160 GW.”
Detailing the state’s efforts under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, which enables households to generate power, the chief minister said, “We are offering free solar units to 20 lakh Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) families for 2 kW power generation.”
He added, “Each MLA must ensure 10,000 rooftop solar installations per constituency. After a nine-year payback period, families can sell excess power to the grid and earn ₹300 per month.”
The scheme will receive ₹8,937 crore in investment, with ₹4,663 crore from the Union government and ₹4,274 crore from the state coffers. The government will provide ₹78,000 in subsidies for a 3 kW installation, while the remaining ₹70,000 will be covered through state investment or bank loans.
The chief minister further stated that Andhra Pradesh plans to generate 47.82 GW of renewable energy, including 13.79 GW of solar, 9.93 GW of wind, and 24.10 GW of pumped storage.
“In the first phase, 3.85 lakh solar pumps will generate 1,327 MW. We have invited tenders for 220 MW (49,533 solar pumps) and 751 MW (1,67,452 solar pumps),” he said.
The Union government has allocated ₹270 crore in viability gap funding for a battery energy storage system with a capacity of 1,000 MW. Furthermore, the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has allocated 1 lakh solar pumps under the PM-KUSUM scheme, and the state has requested an additional 4 lakh solar pumps.
The chief minister also blamed the previous Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government for the state’s power sector crisis between 2019 and 2024, and credited his government for “reviving the sector.”
“The power sector faced dark days between 2019 and 2024. In just nine months, we have revived the sector, which was devastated by the previous government. Due to their mismanagement, the power sector suffered from severe systemic issues,” he said.
He accused the YSRCP government of falsely alleging corruption in solar power projects and failing to utilise available solar energy, leading to a ₹9,000 crore penalty imposed by the High Court. “If they had used the power, the crisis could have been avoided, but arrogance led to this ₹9,000 crore loss,” he said.
Naidu further blamed the YSRCP for the delay of projects like Krishnapatnam Stage 2, VTPS Stage 5, and the Polavaram Hydro Power Project, which added ₹1,044 crore in costs. He asserted that poor governance and inefficiency had led to increased power sector debts.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
