Latest news with #APCPDCL
Hans India
3 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Smart meter rollout sparks outcry
Vijayawada: CPM State Committee members Baburao and D Kasinath vehemently criticised the Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Company Limited (APCPDCL)'s directive to install smart meters in residential homes. They displayed copies of the orders issued by APCPDCL while addressing a press conference here on Sunday. Baburao stated that it is 'deplorable' that the coalition government has ordered the installation of Adani prepaid smart electricity meters in homes as its 'first anniversary gift.' Within the CPDCL's jurisdiction, 1.028 million homes in major cities across the combined Krishna, Guntur, and Prakasam districts, totalling 17.24 lakh meters, have been slated for installation. Baburao asserted that the installation of Adani smart meters in every home is a 'systematic arrangement for Adani's permanent exploitation' of every family every day, every hour. The phased installation of 20 million smart meters in every home and commercial establishment across the state is estimated to impose a burden of Rs 25,000 crore on the public, with each meter and its maintenance costing approximately Rs 13,000. Consumers will reportedly be charged a meter rental fee of Rs 100 to Rs 200 per month for 93 months without their full awareness. The 'Time of the Day' metering system, which will record readings hourly and charge higher rates during peak consumption hours at night, will impose an 'even greater burden.' Baburao said that the Electricity Regulatory Commission has already amended its regulations to facilitate this, with the government issuing directives for meter installation for every consumer, including residential homes. He noted that an Adani office and warehouse have already been established at Vidyut Soudha, the main electricity office in Vijayawada, signifying the handing over of the electricity sector. He listed the towns where residential meter installations are initially ordered under CPDCL: Vijayawada, Guntur, Machilipatnam, Ongole, Chilakaluripeta, Gudivada, Amaravati, and Mangalagiri. He demanded a halt to smart meter installations in residential homes, removal of meters already installed in commercial establishments, cancellation of the meter agreement with Adani, and abolition of electricity adjustment charges. Kashi Nath added that a plan has been devised to install smart meters in 352,936 homes in Vijayawada alone. He mentioned that several protests have already been held in Vijayawada. He concluded by stating that it is 'improper' for 'father and son' Chandrababu and Lokesh to go back on their word.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh accelerating installation of solar rooftops under Surya Ghar: Chief Secretary
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh is accelerating the rollout of rooftop solar installations under the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana, with a target of 20 lakh units by the end of 2025, Chief Secretary and Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand said during a review meeting in Vijayawada on Thursday. He directed DISCOMs and NREDCAP to achieve three lakh rooftop solar connections by June 2025, assigning 75,000 each to APCPDCL, APSPDCL, and APEPDCL, and another 75,000 to NREDCAP. Weekly progress reviews have been scheduled. Special focus will be given to SC and ST households, which are eligible for 2-kilowatt rooftop systems free of cost. Backwards Class families will receive a subsidy of Rs 80,000—Rs 60,000 from the Centre and Rs 20,000 from the State, towards the Rs 1.20 lakh installation cost. Each district will develop a model village to demonstrate the scheme. For SC/ST households, the state aims to install 5.87 lakh systems, generating 1,743 million units annually. Installations must be completed within six months of the Letter of Award and will be maintained free for five years.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
AP Power Utilities targets providing 3L rooftop solar connections by June 2025
Vijayawada: State Chief Secretary and Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand has conducted a detailed review meeting with the officials of PEPDCL, APCPDCL, and APSPDCL on the implementation status of PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana in Andhra Pradesh at CS Camp office in Vijayawada on Thursday. During the meeting participated by CMD/APEPDCL Prudhvi Tej, CMD/APSPDCL, K Santosha Rao and CMD/APCPDCL P Pulla Reddy, the Special Chief Secretary Energy stated that Andhra Pradesh is leading India's clean energy transition by actively promoting rooftop solar installations across the state. He said that the state government has set an ambitious target of installing 20 lakh rooftop solar units by the end of 2025 .The Special Chief Secretary directed the DISCOMs and NREDCAP to collectively achieve the target of providing three lakh rooftop solar connections by the end of June 2025. Each DISCOM is assigned a target of 75,000 connections, while NREDCAP will also execute 75,000 connections. He instructed that a detailed action plan be submitted immediately and announced that the progress will be reviewed on a weekly basis. He also stressed the need to widely publicize PM Surya Ghar among SC and ST beneficiaries as setting up 2-kilowatt rooftop units will be entirely free for them as per the scheme. He also urged to create awareness among Backward Class (BC) households, as the government is offering a total subsidy of Rs 80,000 comprising Rs 60,000 from the Central government and an additional Rs 20,000 from the State government towards the total rooftop solar installation cost of Rs 1.2 lakh under the PM Surya Ghar scheme. The Special Chief Secretary reviewed the implementation progress of the scheme and noted that Andhra Pradesh has so far recorded 12.12 lakh registrations on the PM Surya Ghar portal. APEPDCL received 85,711applications and APCPDCL recorded 5.34 lakh registrations while APSPDCL registered 5.92 lakh applications. The Special CS said that around 5.87 lakh SC/ST households have been identified for coverage under this initiative, with a projected rooftop solar capacity of 1,174 MWp and an expected annual power generation of 1,743 million units. 'Each eligible household will be provided with a 2 kWp rooftop solar system, which is to be commissioned within six months from the issuance of the Letter of Award (LOA). K Vijayanand directed DISCOMs to expedite the implementation of PM SuryaGhar Scheme and reaffirmed the government's commitment to expanding clean energy access to all eligible households in Andhra Pradesh through the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana.
New Indian Express
15-05-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
PM Surya Ghar lights up over 23,000 homes in Andhra Pradesh
GUNTUR: Andhra Pradesh is steadily turning its rooftops into power hubs, with over 23,000 households now generating their own electricity under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana. The Centre's flagship scheme, which aims to promote clean, affordable energy, is being implemented across the state by the three power distribution companies - AP Central Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APCPDCL), AP Southern Power Distribution Company Limited (APSPDCL), and Eastern Power Distribution Company of Andhra Pradesh Limited (APEPDCL). So far, more than 12 lakh applications have poured in, but only 22,822 rooftop solar installations have been completed, feeding over 79,000 kW of solar power into the grid. APEPDCL leads the tally with 10,584 installations, followed by APCPDCL with 7,984 installations and APSPDCL with 4,254 installations. Explaining how the scheme works, APCPDCL Deputy Executive Engineer Ratnakumari said that the electricity generated through Solar Rooftop Photovoltaic (SRTPV) systems is fed directly into the state grid. The DISCOM adjusts this against the consumer's electricity bill. 'For example, if the solar system generates power worth Rs 80 and the household's total consumption is Rs 100, the consumer pays only Rs 20,' she said. Eligibility requires at least 100 square feet of rooftop space, and apartment complexes can also apply. The scheme offers up to 60% subsidy - Rs 30,000 for 1 kW systems, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW, and Rs 78,000 for 3 kW, with the typical installation cost ranging from Rs 60,000 to Rs 80,000.
New Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Andhra to host GoMs meet on power sector reforms
VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh will host the fourth meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Power Sector Reforms on April 22, 2025, at Novotel in Vijayawada. The meeting, convened by the Union Ministry of Power, will be chaired by Union Minister of State for Power and New and Renewable Energy Shripad Yesso Naik. It marks the first time the State is hosting this national-level discussion on utility reforms. Ahead of the event, Chief Secretary and Special Chief Secretary (Energy) K Vijayanand reviewed preparations with key officials, including Transmission Corporation of AP Limited (APTRANSCO) Joint Managing Director Kirthi Chekuri and Andhra Pradesh Central Power Distribution Corporation Limited (APCPDCL) Chairman and Managing Director AKV Bhaskar. The GoM meeting is under the Ministry's Utility Reforms and Special Interventions initiative. It will be attended by energy ministers and secretaries from Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, along with representatives from Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and APCPDCL. Discussion topics will include proposed regulatory changes, financial restructuring of distribution companies (DISCOMs), and the type of support the Central government can offer. The meeting will also outline the role of State governments in reform implementation and set guidelines for preparing investment plans focused on capital expenditure and sectoral improvements. The Ministry of Power selected AP as the host State based on its recent progress in power sector reforms.
