Vijayawada: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu announced a major set of decisions aimed at transforming Andhra Pradesh into a clean-energy hub, strengthening power supply systems, and reducing financial burdens on the state. The chief minister directed APSRTC to shift entirely to electric buses within five years and approved the immediate purchase of 1,000 EV buses. The state will also establish 5,000 EV charging stations.In a high-level review meeting on the energy department on Tuesday, the chief minister asked the officials to study the feasibility of pumped-storage projects near reservoirs, utilise fly ash from thermal plants, and explore pollution-control solutions with IIT teams. The chief minister announced the extension of incentives for ferro-alloy industries by another year, recognising them as key industrial contributors. The extension will impose an additional burden of ₹1,053 crore on the govt.He reviewed the status of power supply, the PM-KUSUM scheme, the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, rooftop solar expansion, and power purchase costs and directed the officials to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality power to industries, agriculture, households, and commercial consumers. “The transmission and distribution losses—currently at 9.2%—must be significantly reduced by 2029. We should explore power-swapping agreements with other states to further lower purchase costs,” said Naidu.A major push was given to the solarisation of govt buildings. Solar panels will be installed on over 483 buildings, generating nearly 150 MW of power. Under PM-KUSUM, the state is targeting 4,792 MW of generation using lands under the endowments and irrigation departments. Naidu stressed that consumers must be empowered to produce their own power and sell surplus units to the grid, thereby earning additional income.Under the PM Suryaghar Muft Bijli Yojana, solar rooftop units will be installed free of cost for SC/ST beneficiaries, while BC consumers will receive a ₹20,000 subsidy for installations up to 3 kW. The chief minister also instructed the implementation of free power—200 units for weavers and 500 units for power-looms—along with approvals for nine incentive components under the Integrated Clean Energy Policy, including capital subsidies and GST exemptions.Referring to past policy failures, Naidu criticised the previous govt for cancelling PPAs, which resulted in a Rs 9,000 crore burden on consumers—despite not utilising the contracted power. He said the present administration streamlined power finances and reduced this burden to zero without raising tariffs. The review meeting was attended by energy minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar, chief secretary K Vijayanand, and senior officials of Transco, Genco, and Discoms.
