Andhra Pradesh's solar push: 228 feeder-level plants to add 1,162.80 MW

Andhra Pradesh is advancing its renewable energy agenda with 1,162.80 MW of feeder-level solarisation capacity being set up through 228 solar power plants across the State. The initiative, implemented under Component-C of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM-KUSUM), aims to strengthen the State's solar infrastructure and ensure reliable daytime power supply to farmers.

Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K. Vijayanand, while chairing a review meeting on PM-KUSUM projects, said the State has set a target of commissioning 109.70 MW during September and October 2026. This, he explained, will augment renewable power generation and improve the availability of dependable daytime power to agricultural feeders, a crucial requirement for the farming community.

Feeder-level solarisation is a key component of PM-KUSUM, launched by the Union Government to support solar energy adoption in agriculture. Under this model, solar power plants are installed to directly feed electricity into designated agricultural feeders. This approach reduces the burden on the conventional grid, minimises transmission losses, and allows farmers to access power during daylight hours without relying on diesel pumps. The programme is seen as a significant step towards energy independence in rural areas and aligns with national targets for clean energy transition.

Mr. Vijayanand noted that land acquisition has been completed for all 228 feeder-level solar plants. He directed officials to closely monitor the remaining aspects of project implementation, including civil works, equipment procurement, financial closure, and statutory documentation. Stressing the need for proactive problem-solving, he said issues affecting implementation should be identified and resolved at the initial stage to avoid delays in commissioning.

The Special Chief Secretary also underscored the broader benefits of the solarisation drive. He stated that feeder-level solarisation would not only boost the State's renewable power generation capacity but also substantially improve the quality and reliability of power supplied to agricultural feeders. This, in turn, would support sustainable farming practices and reduce the financial strain on DISCOMs by cutting cross-subsidies associated with agricultural power consumption.

During the review meeting, Mr. Vijayanand directed DISCOMs and project developers to accord high priority to the programme. He emphasised that project-related issues should be resolved at the field level to ensure timelines are met. The focus, he said, should be on completing the plants within the stipulated period and delivering the intended benefits to farmers.

The meeting was attended by DISCOM CMDs L. Siva Sankar, I. Prudhvi Tej and P. Pulla Reddy, along with NREDCAP Managing Director M. Kamalakar Babu. Their presence highlighted the coordinated approach being taken by energy utilities and the State's nodal agency for renewable energy to steer the projects to completion.

With a substantial pipeline of 1,162.80 MW, Andhra Pradesh's feeder-level solarisation programme under PM-KUSUM is set to make a notable contribution to the State's renewable energy capacity. The upcoming commissioning phase in late 2026 will mark a key milestone in delivering cleaner, more reliable power to the agricultural sector.