VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh is moving swiftly towards becoming a rooftop solar leader, with the govt directing discoms to ensure timely and effective rollout of the NABARD–Asian Development Bank (ADB)-supported Solar Rooftop Investment Program (SRIP) across the state. Chief secretary K Vijayanand instructed officials from APSPDCL, APEPDCL, and APCPDCL to fast-track implementation of rooftop solar projects under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana (PMSGMBY) through the Utility-Led Aggregator (ULA) model. The program, backed by ADB and NABARD, is aimed at expanding clean, affordable, and decentralized energy access to all sections of society, said Vijayanand. Taking stock of the progress of the project on Tuesday, chief secretary explained that NABARD has been onboarded as the financial intermediary to extend concessional financing to discoms. ADB director (South Asia Energy Sector) Dr Sujata Gupta presented the progress and financial structure of SRIP, while ADB and NABARD officials assured continued support for the state’s clean energy transition. The chief secretary said rooftop solar energy is a cornerstone of Andhra Pradesh’s renewable energy vision, under the leadership of chief minister Chandrababu Naidu. He stressed that the govt is committed to expanding solar power across residential, institutional, and govt sectors to ensure reliable and affordable electricity. “Rooftop solar will reduce dependence on conventional power and empower citizens through decentralized generation. Andhra Pradesh aims to lead the nation in rooftop solar implementation with ADB and NABARD’s partnership,” he said.Highlighting the govt’s ambitious plan for Kuppam constituency, the chief secretary said the area would be developed as a 100% solar and net zero constituency. All schools, govt buildings, agricultural feeders, and institutions will be equipped with rooftop systems, supported by a 50/100 MWh Battery Energy Storage System (BESS). About 4 MW of solar capacity is being set aside for SC and ST households. The govt will buy surplus power from beneficiaries at ₹2.09 per unit. He asked discoms and ADB to create a dedicated repayment mechanism and explore a separate loan arrangement for the Kuppam initiative to ensure timely execution. The chief secretary directed all discoms to expedite documentation and agreements with NABARD to enable the disbursement of ADB funds. Kuppam Area Development Authority PD Vikas Marmat, Dr Sujata Gupta, Director (Energy), ADB; Jaimes Kolantharaj, Principal Energy Specialist, ADB; Jigar Bhatt, senior project officer (Energy), ADB; Upendra Bhatt, MD, cKinetics; Shankar N, cKinetics; and senior officials from APSPDCL, APEPDCL, and APCPDCL were present.
- The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has cleared the first tranche of 3.88 lakh rooftop installations under the ULA model: K Vijayanand, chief secretary
- Tenders have been floated to onboard EPC partners, and Letters of Award (LOAs) have been issued for 804 MW, with another 200 MW under finalization.
- The finance department has already already approved a state govt guarantee for implementation under the ULA model.
- APEPDCL confirmed acceptance of the NABARD–ADB loan offer and requested a price revision under the NIDA loan.
