Under the new Solar Policy 2018 announced on Thursday, Andhra Pradesh has set a minimum target of 5 GW of newly installed PV power capacity over the next five years.
Andhra Pradesh aims to install 18 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2021-22, which would comprise 10 per cent of the country’s overall target.
In a circular dated January 3, 2019, the main policy objectives include developing solar parks with the necessary utility infrastructure facilities; promoting distributed generation; deploying solar-powered agricultural pump sets; and promoting local manufacturing facilities, which will generate employment in the state.
The Andhra Pradesh government has said it will initially develop 4 GW of large-scale solar parks, which will include manufacturing zones, and R&D and training centers.
It will also promote solar rooftop systems on public, domestic, and commercial and industrial buildings on either a gross or net metering basis, with consumers free to choose either option for the sale of power to discoms. In the next five years, the state also plans to install 50,000 operational solar-powered pump sets, without any additional financial burden to farmers.
Meanwhile, to promote domestic manufacturing, the state has said it will, among other things, provide priority allotment of government-owned land on a long-term lease basis; exempt electricity duties for a period of 10 years; and extend energy banking facilities for any PV projects developed by manufacturers.
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Anmol Jaggi, Founder, Gensol Engineering Pvt Ltd commenting on the policy said : Another good measure promoted by this Policy is the freedom given to the group of persons/societies to set up rooftop solar power projects that will be treated as collective generation for supply of power to the households of each society/group member. Piquantly, the energy consumed by individual service connections will be adjusted by the discoms while the balances (either excess or lower) can be billed on net metering basis. No Distribution losses and charges will be applicable to such projects. This is a good move as it has dismantled the confusion surrounding the energy accounting of individual connections in the group. To make the approval process spotless, project developers will be able to apply for permissions through web portals, while the discoms are required to give their nod within a period of 14 days from the date of application. Then again, 100% energy banking has been allowed against a 5% banking charges in kind. However, there are restrictions over time periods where the banked energy can be utilised. Apparently, bottlenecks surrounding land procurement might ease out a bit, keeping in mind that the nodal agency (NREDCAP) will now procure land from the district authorities at marginal market values and then lease it to project developers. Then again, Deemed Non-Agricultural (NA) status for the land where Solar Power Projects will be accorded on payment of applicable statutory fees. An important highlight of this Policy is the clear intent on smoothening and standardising the approval process with the ceilings being set for approval timelines for various clearances beyond which go-aheads will be deemed as given.” |
